Strengthening Ukraine's cooperation with Central and South America discussed at President’s Office

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva discussed strengthening Ukraine's cooperation with the states of Central and South America with Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica Manuel Tovar Rivera.

“Zhovkva thanked for the important signals in support of Ukraine during the participation of Manuel Tovar Rivera in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ministerial meeting in Paris the day before, in particular for the Costa Rican government's strong condemnation of Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine and the Russian attack on the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant,” the President’s Office informs.

"This criminal Russian attack on a critical infrastructure facility is an act of ecocide that requires the most severe response from the international community," Zhovkva emphasized.

He also thanked for Costa Rica's readiness to assist Ukraine in its approach to OECD membership and noted the importance of using the experience of this country, which in May 2021 became the 38th member of the Organization.

The interlocutors discussed ways to strengthen Ukraine's cooperation with the countries of Central and South America, in particular, the involvement of the countries of the region in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, as well as international efforts to bring Russia to justice for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. In this context, the importance of Costa Rica's decision to join the Core Group for the establishment of a special tribunal was emphasized.

In addition, the parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in exploring the possibility of intensifying trade between the two countries.

The parties also discussed further bilateral contacts at the highest level. The Deputy Head of the President’s Office invited the Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica to visit Ukraine in the near future.