Zelensky receives credentials from ambassadors of five countries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has received credentials from the newly appointed ambassadors of Denmark, Afghanistan, Lithuania, Montenegro, and Saudi Arabia, the head of state's press service has said.

According to the report, Zelensky received credentials from Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Wali Monawar, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania Valdemaras Sarapinas, Ambassador of Montenegro Dragica Ponorac, and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Suleiman al-Mashar.

The head of state congratulated Mikkelsen on the beginning of his mission in Ukraine as ambassador of Denmark.

"I know you had a mission in Poland. We are good neighbors with Poland, and I think that this experience will help you a lot in Ukraine. We are different sovereign states, but it seems to me that people are very similar," Zelensky said.

He also thanked the Danish side for its strong support of Ukraine, in particular for the recently transferred rescue equipment to overcome the consequences of floods in Ukraine's western regions.

Zelensky also expressed hope that Denmark would continue to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and continue sanctions policy against Russia.

During his conversation with the ambassador of Afghanistan, Zelensky stressed the need to intensify the bilateral political dialogue with this country, as well as to realize the potential of Ukrainian-Afghan cooperation in the trade, economic and defense spheres.

The president thanked the Afghan side for its constructive position within the international group for coordination of assistance to the victims of the crash of the Ukrainian plane (flight PS752) in Iran.

Zelensky also thanked the ambassador of Lithuania for its firm and consistent support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and the significant practical assistance in the sphere of the country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

"I congratulate you on the beginning of your important mission in Ukraine. Ukraine and Lithuania have warm, good relations at such a difficult time. When the war broke out in our country, Lithuania was one of the first countries to support Ukraine at all levels, to support our sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

The importance of strengthening bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation was stressed. The president emphasized a common interest in holding a regular meeting of the Council of Presidents of Ukraine and Lithuania in Kyiv at the end of 2020.

In a conversation with the newly appointed ambassador of Montenegro, Zelensky stressed Ukraine's readiness to develop practical cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. The measures being taken by Ukraine and Montenegro to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on citizens in view of the tourist period were discussed.

"Ukrainians love Montenegro very much. They love to holiday there. You have very beautiful nature, a very beautiful country," Zelensky said.

He also expressed readiness to develop political contacts with Saudi Arabia and stressed the interest of the Ukrainian side in expanding cooperation in trade, economic, agricultural and defense spheres, as well as in the field of aircraft construction.

The president invited the King of Saudi Arabia to pay his first official visit to Ukraine.

Zelensky thanked the ambassador of Saudi Arabia for the support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and expressed hope that Riyadh would be able to help protect the rights and freedoms of Crimean Tatars who are under difficult conditions of occupation in Crimea.

op