The Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, visited Kyiv in Ukraine on Friday and met with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko.
Bakoyannis was in Kyiv as part of a delegation of other European mayors and during his visit, he signed a memorandum of cooperation with the aim of sustainably rebuilding Ukrainian cities damaged by Russian attacks.
The agreement provides for a specific cooperation plan to cover all reconstruction needs and is an initiative of the Eurocities network, in which Athens participates.
After the signing, President Zelenskyy, thanked the Mayors for their support of Ukraine.
“I appreciate your support in our struggle for national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Ukrainian President said.
“When we talk about aid and support – humanitarian, military, political – it is also important not to forget the help in rebuilding our cities and communities. And it is important that reconstruction begins not after the war but now.”
For his part, Bakoyannis stressed that the reconstruction of Ukraine is an obligation of the entire democratic world.
“Ukraine’s reconstruction is a long process that must begin today. The democratic world should be ready to support this marathon with strong will and determination,” the Athens Mayor said.
“Athens, with all its strength, will be part of the common European effort to rebuild Ukrainian cities and support the friendly Ukrainian people.”
After the memorandum signing, Bakoyannis joined the other European mayors as they visited the Ukrainian cities of Borodianka, Buka and Irpin.
Bakoyannis also met with the Mayor of Kyiv and with the charge d’affaires of Greece in Kyiv, Manolis Androulakis.
READ MORE: Greece to send tanks to Ukraine under German deal .
Source: newsbulletin247.com.
