Aviation, maritime security and demining: Ihor Klymenko held negotiations with the Envoy of the President of the French Republic
Today, on January 17, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine hosted a meeting between Ihor Klymenko, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, and Pierre Heilbronn, the Special Envoy of the President of France for Ukraine's Relief and Reconstruction. Among the participants of the meeting were also Vasyl Teteria, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, and Serhii Deineko, the Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
The highlight of the meeting was the discussion of the cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the French party in the areas of aviation, maritime security, and land and underwater demining.
At the beginning of the meeting, Ihor Klymenko, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, expressed his gratitude to the President and the Government of the French Republic for their support of Ukraine and assistance to the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine during the war. The Minister emphasized that the French Republic, as one of the G7 member states, remains a reliable partner of Ukraine in ensuring stability and restoring security:
“I am pleased to welcome you at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. I would like to express my gratitude to the President and the Government of the French Republic for their unwavering support of Ukraine during the large-scale war. Your assistance is not only a way of strengthening of our units, but also an important gesture of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. And I want to assure you that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is sincerely grateful for this assistance, as it contributes to the protection of our citizens and brings the Victory closer”.
In his turn, Pierre Heilbronn, the Special Envoy of the President of France for Ukraine's Relief and Reconstruction, assured that his country, together with other G7 member states, is constantly coordinating efforts to strengthen partnership and provide comprehensive assistance to Ukraine.
"We are touched by your kind words of gratitude and want to assure you that the French Republic has stood with Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion. We value our joint future and are working to find the perfect formula to help you. In particular, the French Republic is actively involved in the joint efforts of the G7 member states, aimed at providing assistance to Ukraine in various areas and domaines", – Pierre Heilbronn declared.
Thus, during the negotiations, the parties discussed contracts related to the aviation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including the exchange of experience with French security and rescue agencies, as well as the provision of medical equipment for helicopters that carry out evacuations.
Furthermore, the participants raised the issue of maritime security and the delivery of the French boats to the Maritime Guard units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, emphasized that this will strengthen Ukraine's border protection capabilities at sea.
“This concerns the protection of Ukraine's national interests at sea. And it is the French boats that are the main component of maritime security today”, – said the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
The parties also discussed the €200 million Grant Agreement concluded between the Governments of the French Republic and Ukraine, which aims to facilitate the reconstruction and support of critical infrastructure and the development of economic sectors in Ukraine. In his turn, Ihor Klymenko informed the French delegation about the projects of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine under this agreement and stressed their importance for the state:
"The robotic systems for land and underwater demining and fire extinguishing are primarily aimed at saving the lives of our EOD experts, which is our absolute priority. We expect a favourable decision to be reached on these projects of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine".
Moreover, Ihor Klymenko discussed with his partners the training of Ukrainian EOD experts in underwater demining, in particular in France. The Minister stressed that underwater demining is critical in times of war, as it ensures the safety of waterways, ports and coastal areas.
“For almost three years, the EOD experts of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine have demined more than 16,000 hectares of water bodies, removing and disposing of more than 2,000 explosive ordnance. In addition, the Underwater Demining Centre is currently being modernised, with 336 EOD experts-divers trained, 24 of them being capable of performing deep-sea demining at a depth of 50 metres”, – said the Minister and stressed that the Ministry is also ready to share its experience with partners.
“We are ready to move forward to overcome all problems and challenges together. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is doing a tremendous job in all areas, and I appreciate your strong commitment. And those projects that meet the requirements of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine will be signed, as these are urgent needs. Our doors are always open, and you can contact us with any questions and get the help you need”, – assured Pierre Heilbronn, the Special Envoy of the President of France for Ukraine's Relief and Reconstruction.
Communications Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
