VALLETTA, May 16 - President Petro Poroshenko has invited Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca to visit Ukraine.

"Malta was one of the first countries to recognize our independence and has continuously supported it during these years, and we are very grateful for that," the Ukrainian president told journalists after talks with his Maltese counterpart in Valletta on Tuesday.

According to Poroshenko, the Maltese presidency in the European Union has become very important for Ukraine, because Ukraine will soon receive a visa-free regime with the EU countries. "This is not only the issue of passing the border, it is a historic step for Ukraine's return to Europe," the president said.