KIEV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his visiting Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu discussed bilateral cooperation and the two countries’ integration into the European Union (EU).

At a news conference after the talks on June 27, Zelensky said that Ukraine and Moldova have all opportunities to deepen their partnership in the humanitarian sphere, economy, politics, and cross-border cooperation, reports Xinhua news agency.

The two sides also discussed the partnership in the transport sector, in particular Ukraine’s assistance in the reconstruction of the Moldovan railway, as well as strengthening energy cooperation.

Zelensky also urged Sandu to deepen security cooperation between Ukraine and Moldova. For her part, Sandu said that obtaining the status of candidates for EU membership is a historic event for Ukraine and Moldova. She added that her country is ready to assist Ukraine in the post-conflict reconstruction and in transiting goods.

Sandu arrived in Kiev earlier in the day for her first visit to Ukraine since the start of the war. Ukraine applied for EU membership shortly after the conflict began, and was granted, along with Moldova, the status of candidate for EU membership last week.