Denmark supports Ukraine’s European integration, President’s Office says

During his working visit to Denmark, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ihor Zhovkva, met with senior political leaders and government officials

Rubryka reports, citing the President's Office.

During the talks with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, Ihor Zhovkva expressed President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky's gratitude for his robust support of our state in combating full-scale armed aggression.

The parties emphasized the importance of Copenhagen's support for granting Ukraine candidate status at the forthcoming European Council meeting at the level of EU leaders.

"We hope that next week, during the European Council meeting in Brussels, the Kingdom of Denmark will support granting our country the long cherished status of a candidate for EU membership. 

This is a decision that the citizens of Ukraine deserve, as they are now paying the highest price, defending European values," Ihor Zhovkva stressed.

Implementing the European integration strategy of our country was the focus of Ihor Zhovkva's meeting with the Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee of Denmark's Folketing (Parliament), Martin Lidegaard.

Also, members of the Foreign Policy Council and parliamentary committees on foreign policy and European policy.

"Giving Ukraine candidate status is only the first step on the path to full EU membership. 

Accordingly, we hope that the leaders of the European Union will make such an important political decision that will allow us to fix the strategic movement of our country towards the European Union," he said.

During the meeting with the Minister of Defense of Denmark, Morten Bødskov, they discussed cooperation in the military-technical field. The Deputy Head of the President's Office thanked the Danish side for the crucial military assistance.

First, it was the transfer of Harpoon-type missiles; Zhovkva stressed the hope that Denmark would continue its efforts to strengthen resistance to russian military aggression.

During the meeting with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen, the parties discussed the issues of practical implementation of Ukraine's European integration strategy.

Ihor Zhovkva and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also exchanged views on the prospects of deepening Ukraine's integration into the EU internal market.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked Denmark for sending construction equipment to Ukraine for free.

"I would like to express words of sincere gratitude to Denmark for the leadership in restoring and rebuilding the territories of Ukraine that suffered destruction as a result of russia's aggression. 

We appreciate that Denmark was one of the first to respond to the initiative of the President of Ukraine on patronage by international partners and will be involved in restoring the city of Mykolaiv," Zhovkva said.

With Copenhagen's Deputy Mayor for Employment and Integration, Jens-Kristian Lütken, Ihor Zhovkva visited the Center for Ukrainian Displaced Persons in the Danish capital.

"I sincerely thank the Danish people, the Danish government, and the Copenhagen city authorities for their support for the temporarily displaced citizens of Ukraine. 

This is a testament to your country's solidarity with Ukrainians who have suffered from Russia's war and war crimes," said the Deputy Head of the President's Office.