OREANDA-NEWS. On February 07, 2007 the Prime Ministers of Belarus and Ukraine have discussed topical bilateral cooperation issues. Belarusian head of Government Sergei Sidorsky told a session of the Industry Ministry board, he had a phone talk with Yulia Timoshenko, reported the Official website www.government.by.

In particular, the two Prime Ministers talked over increasing Belarusian exports to Ukraine. During the talk an agreement was reached to resume the operation of a mixed trade and economic group, which will be headed by first vice-premiers of Belarus and Ukraine. The measure will contribute to increasing the trade turnover between the two countries as well as decreasing the foreign trade deficit of Belarus.

In January-November 2007 the trade between Belarus and Ukraine grew by 19,5% in comparison with the same period of 2006 to make up $2,666.3 million. Belarus’ export to Ukraine grew by 12,8% over the eleven months of 2007 to $1,278.1 million, import — 26,4% up to $1,388.2 million.