OREANDA-NEWS. September 21, 2010. Ukraine is interested in boosting bilateral relations with Singapore. This was announced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov at the meeting with Minister Mentor of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew.

"Ukraine is interested in full cooperation with Singapore" - Mykola Azarov said, adding that the President of Ukraine visit to Singapore, scheduled for first quarter 2011, will contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation.

"We deeply respect you as a person who created the modern country - Singapore. Much of what you did is the subject of our study. Your experience is of world importance and we will use it for development of Ukraine" - the Prime Minister said.

According to him, an important event for the further deepening of bilateral relations would be Ukraine's diplomatic mission to  Singapore opening. The Prime Minister also noted the ongoing preparations for the signing of bilateral agreements establishing free trade area.

Another important issue is the short term signing of the Agreement on Air Services, which provides direct air flights between our countries. The Prime Minister of Ukraine also proposed to intensify efforts to introduce visa-free regime between our countries.

The Prime Minister said that volume of trade between our countries has increased this year. "We believe that the FTA signing will further increase our turnover" - Mykola Azarov said.

Mykola Azarov congratulated Lee Kuan Yew on his birthday which was celebrated the day before, and wished him good health and long life.

The Minister Mentor of Singapore said that he knows the difficult history of Ukraine, knows that Ukraine has great fertile soil, that our country due to its geographical location has a significant transit potential. "I am pleased that in 1991 Ukraine bacame independent, sovereign state, and now it has become a stable country that has potential for development" - said Lee Kuan Yew.