Latvia and Ukraine to sign agreement on technical and financial cooperation

RIGA - Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba Thursday will sign an agreement on technical and financial cooperation between the Latvian and Ukrainian governments, the Foreign Ministry confirmed to LETA.

The draft agreement states that the parties reiterate their condemnation of Russia's large-scale military invasion in Ukraine and the crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine against its population and infrastructure.

The agreement notes that the parties firmly support Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, while recognizing Ukraine's European perspective. The agreement underlines that Ukraine, as a candidate country of the European Union (EU), needs to implement substantial reforms in order to become an EU Member State.

The Latvia-Ukraine agreement covers all technical and financial assistance programs or projects in Ukraine financed in whole or in part by Latvia in the context of the provision of assistance for the reconstruction and strengthening of Ukraine.

The agreement states that both Latvia and Ukraine have zero tolerance to corruption and other financial irregularities in and related to the programs or projects. The zero-tolerance policy applies to all staff, consultants and other non-staff personnel, as well as to cooperating partners in programs or projects.

As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will pay an official visit to Latvia today and will meet with the country's top officials.