Ireland to contribute to Ukraine recovery effort

MOSCOW. July 7 (Interfax) - Ireland will contribute to the Ukraine recovery effort, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said.

Martin made the statement at a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday, following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian media outlets said.

He also assured Ukraine of assistance on the road to EU membership and noted that Ireland had always said that Ukraine belonged with the European Union.

In turn, Zelensky said after the talks with Martin they had discussed "a joint response to the food and energy security threats."

Zelensky said they discussed on a joint work to expedite Ukraine's progress from the EU candidate status to full membership in the European Union. "The experience of Ireland will definitely be useful for the respective reforms," he said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also met with Martin. He underlined the importance of a universal model of business risk insurance to allow investment and projects in Ukraine.

He thanked Irish businessmen working in Ukraine and said he was confident they would join the recovery process.

Shmyhal thanked Ireland for taking in Ukrainian refugees and supporting the European integration aspirations of Ukraine.

Martin assured Shmyhal that Ireland would continue to help Ukrainians and would be searching for mechanisms of financial assistance to be provided within the EU framework.

He pledged to work together with Irish businessmen in order to draw more partners into the Ukraine recovery process.