(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Kyiv: President of Ukraine H E Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the presidential palace in Kyiv yesterday.
At the outset of the meeting, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs conveyed the greetings of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wishes of good health and wellbeing to the President of Ukraine and for peace and stability to Ukrainian people.
The Ukrainian President entrusted the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs with his greetings and wishes of wellness and happiness to the Amir, and to the Qatari people for further development and growth.
During the meeting, the two sides touched on bilateral cooperation and relations and discussed the latest developments in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and ways to solve it peacefully. They also exchanged viewpoints on a host of regional and international issues of common concern.
The Ukrainian President expressed his thanks to the State of Qatar for its position on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, affirming his keenness on cooperation between the two countries, especially in the economic field.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed the position of Qatar in support of all international efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis through dialogue and diplomatic means, as well as not taking any action that would lead to further escalation.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, stressing in this regard the need to adhere to the Charter of the United Nations and the established principles of international law, including the obligation to settle international disputes by peaceful means, refraining from the threat or use of force, and respecting sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of states.
He also underlined the need to work towards a return to the Black Sea grain deal to ensure the security of global food supply lines, and the arrival of food shipments to consumers.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also met Ukrainian Prime Minister H E Denys Shmyhal.
The Ukrainian Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and his accompanying delegation, reaffirming his keenness to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries. He also thanked Sheikh Mohammed for Qatar's position on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked the Ukrainian PM for his warm reception and hospitality, reiterating Qatar's firm position, since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, on the importance of respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within it sinternationally recognised borders.
They also discussed cooperation and relations between the two countries, especially in the fields of economy, investment, energy, infrastructure, digital technology, demining, and exporting grains to consuming countries according to priorities of need.
The two sides agreed to establish working groups to coordinate regarding the support provided by Qatar, in addition to the latest developments in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and ways to resolve it peacefully. They also exchanged views on extending the Black Sea grain deal. The PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the need for concerted efforts by all parties to renew the agreement to enhance global food security.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also met First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, founder and president of Olena Zelenska Foundation.
The Prime Minister was briefed about the role of the Foundation in conflict areas and the protection of children at a humanitarian level. He also received briefing on the humanitarian repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, and the most prominent activities and projects of the foundation.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed humanitarian needs of Ukrainian organisations, especially in the fields of education and health. They also discussed cooperation between the foundation and Qatar Fund for Development and various Qatari institutions.
The Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also visited Ukraine's Child Rights Protection Centre in Kyiv. His Excellency was briefed by Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights H E Dmytro Lubinets, on the most prominent activities of the centre, and the services it provides to children, especially their protection during wars and conflicts, and its efforts to alleviate their suffering, and to address the psychological and humanitarian effects of the war.
Earlier, Advisor to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari announced that the Prime Minister would discuss with Ukrainian President a number of important files there during his visit.
In a statement to QNA, Dr. Al Ansari said the visit comes within the framework of Qatar's efforts to calm down and address the humanitarian repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
He said the Prime Minister will reiterate, during his meetings in Kiev, the position of Qatar calling for the need to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and to abide by the Charter of the United Nations and established principles of international law, including obligations under the Charter to settle international disputes by peaceful means.
He said the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs will also meet in Kiev with the Ukrainian Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations, especially the development efforts of Qatar in Ukraine, and the prospects for cooperation in a number of areas of common interest, in addition to supporting efforts to extend the grain agreement to enhance global food security.