Ukrainian, French officials discuss humanitarian needs, plans for reconstruction of Ukrainian regions

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna and President of the Regional Council of Île-de-France Valérie Pécresse have discussed humanitarian needs, plans for the reconstruction of Ukrainian regions and the strengthening of contacts between the two countries' businesses.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration said this in a Facebook post, Ukrinform reports.

"Olga Stefanishyna met with Valérie Pécresse, President of the Council of the French region of Île-de-France. We discussed humanitarian needs, plans for the reconstruction of Ukrainian regions, as well as the strengthening of contacts between Ukrainian and French businesses," the statement said.

In addition, Stefanishyna thanked Pécresse for the assistance that Île-de-France has already provided to Ukraine, including humanitarian goods and medical equipment, as well as for her leadership in mobilizing support for Ukraine.

Stefanishyna said that the goal of the French official's visit is to establish partnerships with the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions for the implementation of reconstruction programs.

Stefanishyna added that during her latest visit to Paris, she and Pécresse visited one of the largest logistical humanitarian hubs created by the French National Federation of Civil Protection, including with the support of the Île-de-France region, for assistance to Ukraine.

Earlier reports said that the Kyiv region and the French region of Île-de-France had signed a memorandum of cooperation. Oleksiy Kuleba, head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, said that major areas of cooperation will be the development of general planning of urban space, the development of the medical field, civil protection of the population, and small and medium-sized businesses.

Subsequently, a bilateral working group will be created for the implementation of specific projects to rebuild the Kyiv region.