MOSCOW (AA) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said on Friday that the trade volume between Turkey and Ukraine exceeded 2 billion dollars, stressing that the political relations should also be upgraded.
In an exclusive interview with the A.A prior to his official visit to Turkey scheduled for 7th-8th June, Yushchenko said that Turkey was really a special partner for Ukraine in respect of political and economic relations.
Yushchenko said that Ukraine favored further improvement of bilateral relations with Turkey, adding that ''we are getting ready to submit proposals to Turkey to help solve clashes in international hot spots, because we endorse a coordinated operation in this area. More than 2-billion dollars of trade volume between our two countries gives us, the politicians, the responsibility to upgrade our political relations.''
''Turkey's and Ukraine's political willingness to integrate with Europe is identical. We hope to join the EU soon, like Turkey,'' said Yushchenko.
-UKRAINE RESPECTS CRIMEAN TATARS-
Referring to the Crimean Tatars, Yushchenko said: ''we respect Crimean Tatars who have ties with Turkey. We meet all the expenses of Crimean Tatars who proceed to Ukraine from Central Asia. We thank for the support Turkey extended to us to enforce some social, economic and humanitarian assistance programs for Crimean Tatars.''
-ECONOMIC RELATIONS-
Yushchenko said that the contributions of Turkish investors to Ukrainian economy was significant, adding that ''we have lots of things to do in economic area, i.e. elimination of double taxation and the liberalization of trade. We must also discuss the common projects which we could undertake with our Turkish partners in Iraq. We can also work together in transportation and energy fields. Turkey can be an amazing partner for Ukraine as an alternative route in respect of transportation of oil and natural gas resources.''
Noting that Ukraine decreased the customs duties significantly, President Yushchenko added that Ukraine liberalized its laws in the banking sector and made possible to open foreign banks in Ukraine.
-LIBERALIZATION OF VISA POLICY-
When reminded of the problems which Turkish businessmen faced in Ukraine such as getting a visa, as well as problems in banking sector, Yushchenko said that Ukraine is trying to liberalize further its visa policy.
''I am looking forward to meet Turkish officials to discuss the visa issue. But we must also try to counter international drug and human trafficking,'' he said.
(֓-ULG)
2005-06-03