OREANDA-NEWS. December 01, 2010. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov met with the Senior Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister informed the Czech side on the processes taking place in Ukraine. Thus, according to Mykola Azarov, the current government now is actively implementing reforms in a number of areas important for Ukraine: "Ukraine has not been reformed during 20 years. To give impetus to the economy, the Government launched very important reforms."

The Prime Minister of Ukraine noted that Ukraine and the Czech Republic has good neighbourly relations, the parties constantly contribute to the dialogue. In addition, according to Mykola Azarov, the highest level has trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic. He said that the trade turnover between two countries is one of the biggest: "For 9 months the trade turnover between our countries increased by 40%. According to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, the last meeting of the Joint Ukrainian-Czech Commission, held in Prague on September 23-24 this year, gave huge impetus to bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Ukraine stressed that Ukraine is interested to deepen the trade and economic cooperation with the Czech Republic: Czech Republic is a very important trading partner to Ukraine. We are for the maximum intensification of our bilateral relations. It is in this light I see the Czech delegation to visit Ukraine.

Mykola Azarov called on the Czech side to take an active part in the modernization of the Ukrainian gas transport system, the expansion of gas underground storage facilities. In addition, Ukraine is interested to cooperate in the development of transit cargo: "Now we are actively upgrading our locomotive fleet. In this context it is important the cooperation with "Scoda" company. In turn, the Prime Minister stressed that Ukraine can offer services in carrying out major repairs to Czech aviation helicopters engine.

Mykola Azarov informed the representatives of the Czech delegation on the results of Ukraine-EU Summit, held on November 22, in Brussels: "In general, we appreciate the results. We have agreed the action plan to introduce visa-free regime for Ukraine. We are carrying on negotiations on free trade area between Ukraine and the European Union. We understand the FTA as the real free market, and these were some difficulties of the negotiation process." The Prime Minister called the Czech Republic to support Ukraine in negotiations on the issue.

In turn, the Senior Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg said that the Czech Republic is also very interested in boosting bilateral relations with Ukraine. He said that Czech businesspersons are ready to invest in Ukrainian economy. "We support your aspirations, we support your undertakings" - Karel Schwarzenberg said.

Concluding the meeting, Mykola Azarov conveyed еру invitation to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic to visit Ukraine at the appropriate time.