President Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven. In the course of the meeting, the parties have signed the Association Agreement in the sphere of development, under which Sweden allocates EUR 175 million in support of reforms in Ukraine and integration to the EU.
Following the meeting, the President has noted that the signature of the given Agreement was a continuation of Sweden's powerful assistance to Ukraine. The President has emphasized that Sweden was the firmest advocate of Ukraine's position in the European Union. "The entire Ukrainian nation and me, as President, are very grateful to you for this position," Petro Poroshenko said.
In his turn, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has noted that the main purpose of the Agreement was to help the Ukrainian Government move the way of reforms and ensure the process of integration into the EU. "These are tough, but urgently required decisions," the Swedish Prime Minister stressed adding that the Government of Sweden had also adopted a series of such decisions in the 90s.
The Prime Minister has emphasized that he had arrived to Kyiv to demonstrate support to the people of Ukraine in these difficult times. Stefan Löfven is confident that Sweden "should and will support Ukraine, for it is important to maintain faith in changes". He has also expressed belief that other countries should join such initiatives.
Stefan Löfven has also informed on the decision to provide a loan to Ukraine in the amount of USD 100 million. The President has noted that the Swedish party would be responsible for interest payment on the loan. "It will be a very important participation of Sweden in coordinated actions of our most reliable, firm and consistent supporters," the President said.
The President has informed that a key issue of the meeting had been the activity of the OSCE SMM in Donbas. The Head of State has expressed gratitude to the Swedish party for the assistance to the mission and for sending 15 Swedish representatives and armored vehicles to the mission.
The Head of State has also informed on the achievement of the agreement on the organization of several humanitarian convoys. "In the issues of maintaining peace, in the solution of humanitarian disaster, Sweden is always with us," Petro Poroshenko noted. The President has thanked Sweden for the assistance in treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian militaries.
The Prime Minister of Sweden has informed on the allocation of USD 10 million for the settlement of the humanitarian problems.