Zelensky names talks on accession to EU, NATO issues as key tasks of Ukrainian ambassadors in 2023
MOSCOW. Dec 26 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has named the talks on Ukraine's accession to the European Union and preparations for a NATO summit as key tasks of Ukrainian diplomats in the coming year.
"The beginning of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union. Preparations for a NATO summit and the achievement of tangible results for Ukraine, all of us are aware of, at this summit," Zelensky said as he spoke about the priorities of Ukrainian diplomats in the coming year. The Ukrainian media said that he addressed Ukrainian ambassadors at a conference on Friday.
"The Ukrainian energy industry and national reconstruction needs, Fast Recovery Plan - please, work as closely as you can with the government, the office, international organizations and partner states in order to fill these agreements with practical content and to achieve results," Zelensky said.
He urged diplomats to work on the return of Ukrainians to the home country and the provision of their rights and lawful interests in the countries of their stay.
Additionally, Zelensky called for broadening relations with countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. He said that ten African countries had been chosen for opening new Ukrainian embassies next year.
"We are resetting our relations with dozens of countries in Africa. We need to step up this work next year. Ten countries have been designated for opening new Ukrainian embassies in Africa. We have also developed a concept of the Ukraine-Africa Trade House. Its offices will open in the capitals of the most promising countries of the continent," Zelensky said.
"Latin America, India and other Asian countries, among them China and Southeast Asia, the entire region of islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Ukraine needs to find a format of its leadership in the strategic processes unfolding in each of those regions, and the Ukrainian diplomatic corps will play the decisive role in that," he said.