Ihor Zhovkva clarified for Secretary Raščan Ukraine’s expectations regarding the Eastern Partnership Summit, which after a four-year hiatus in physical form will take place in Brussels on 15 December 2021. The officials agreed that the Eastern Partnership policy must deliver tangible benefits to enhance the socio-economic well-being and resilience of the Eastern Partners, which is why it is imperative that it remain high on the European Union’s agenda. State Secretary Raščan expressed support for the ambitions to bring Ukraine closer to European norms and values in line with the Association Agreement, stressing the importance of adopting a binding joint declaration at the December Summit.

As to bilateral cooperation, State Secretary Raščan emphasised Slovenia’s contribution to Ukraine’s reform process in decentralisation and assured Slovenia’s further support in humanitarian development cooperation. In the area of economic cooperation, the Slovenian State Secretary welcomed the positive trend in trade between the two countries that remains very dynamic despite the challenging pandemic situation.