The foreign minister, Martin Lidegaard, will accompany his Norwegian counterpart, Børge Brende, to Kiev tomorrow in connection with the important presidential election in Ukraine this weekend.
Aside from putting focus on the historic election in Ukraine, the visit is also expected to strengthen Danish-Norwegian co-operation in foreign affairs.
“The presidential election in Ukraine is historic and essential,” Lidegaard said in a press release. “Hopefully, the election will usher in a new chapter in the country’s history and signal the beginning of a more stable future for all Ukrainians.”
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Lidegaard admitted that it would not be an easy task as the situation is now, but underlined that the OSCE will play an important part in terms of the election preparations and completion, which Denmark has supported in numerous ways.
“We will also bring a clear message about the need for reconciliations, dialogue and inclusion – and not least the need for a constitution that will contribute to a national agreement about a future Ukraine that also protects its minorities,” Lidegaard said.
The two Scandinavian foreign ministers are scheduled to meet with government representatives, presidential candidates and the heads of the OSCE election observation mission in Kiev.
Ahead of the Kiev visit, Lidegaard will today visit the British foreign minister, William Hague, in London.
