Luxembourg Foreign Minister Discusses Bilateral Relations and Donbass Situation with Ukrainian Counterpart

On Thursday 16 November 2017, Luxembourg Foreign and European Affairs Minister Jean Asselborn welcomed Pavlo Klimkin, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, for a working visit in the Grand Duchy.

The visit by Pavlo Klimkin forms part of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Luxembourg and Ukraine. Welcoming the excellent quality of the bilateral ties between Luxembourg and Ukraine, the ministers discussed concrete ways to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in the economic and commercial, finance, logistics and research fields.

In this context, both parties welcomed the completion of the ratification procedures of the Bilateral Convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and wealth. The two foreign ministers also took stock of Luxembourg's bilateral financial support to Ukraine, particularly in the humanitarian field and in the framework of the Chernobyl Shelter Fund.

Minister Asselborn's talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Pavlo Klimkin, also focused on the situation in Ukraine as well as the crisis in the east of the country and the latest developments in the Donbass region with the Luxembourg minister condemning all violations of the ceasefire agreement in eastern Ukraine. He added that: "Ukraine must remain a priority" and urged the parties to renew their commitment to a lasting cease-fire, a removal of heavy weapons from the conflict zone and unhindered, safe and reliable access to all territories for the OSCE Special Observer Mission.

Ministers' discussions also focused on reforms as part of the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU. Welcoming the progress made by the Ukrainian government, Jean Asselborn urged Ukraine to continue in a determined manner and welcomed the action plan for the 2017-2020 reform, initiated by the Ukrainian government.