Ukraine and Guatemala have discussed deepening bilateral economic cooperation, including the continuation of negotiations for a free trade agreement. This was addressed during a meeting between Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko in the Dominican Republic.
"Since the election of the Guatemalan President last July, we have been actively working to improve trade between our countries. Last year, the total external trade volume with Guatemala reached nearly $45 billion. We have potential to strengthen this further, and the free trade agreement will be a key factor in achieving this. During the meeting, we agreed to continue working on this agreement," Yulia Svyrydenko stated.
Additionally, Svyrydenko thanked Guatemala for its consistent support of Ukraine.
"Guatemala has been one of the most active Latin American countries in supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war. Guatemala joined the International Crimean Platform, became a member of the core group for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, and co-authored many resolutions on the Ukrainian dossier adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2022-2023, voting positively for all these resolutions. The country participated in the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland and joined the joint communiqué resulting from it," she added.
Svyrydenko also noted Guatemala's active participation in various coalitions supporting Ukraine, including the Summit of First Ladies, and confirmed Guatemala's participation in the Summit.
Furthermore, Ukraine has invited Guatemala to join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.