OREANDA-NEWS. November 29, 2011. President Dalia Grybauskaite, currently on a working visit in Ukraine, welcomed the participants of the Lithuanian-Ukrainian business forum.

According to the President, this forum, as well as the meetings of the chambers of trade, commerce and industry which have been held for several years already, show the wish to promote further the cooperation of both countries in the sphere of business and to develop joint projects. Over a hundred business people from Ukraine and Lithuania participate in the forum.

Speaking at the forum Dalia Grybauskaite underlined that the Council of Presidents of the Republic of Lithuania and Ukraine had already become a good tradition contributing to the development of bilateral relations and yielding actual cooperation results. She said that the development of political relations not always coincided with economic development, but business cooperation was a basis of bilateral relations and would be supported on the highest level.

"I am delighted to see that business people of our countries find possibilities in Lithuania and Ukraine to develop their business which contributes to promoting export and direct investment. Rapid development of business in both countries is our common interest," the President said.

The volume of trade with Ukraine can reach one billion dollars this year.

Transport project "Viking" which connects Lithuania and Ukraine by a direct link - railway - is an example of joint efforts and potential of our countries," the President underlined.

According to Dalia Grybauskaite, Lithuania has always advocated the common future of Ukraine and the European Union. The EU-Ukraine joint projects, aimed at enhancing business, infrastructure and promoting people's relations, contribute to the reforms necessary for Ukraine and promote in it the European business culture which is based not only on technical standards but also on values, she said.

Today the President will also meet with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mykola Azarov, to discuss new forms of economic cooperation, and will visit the fair of Lithuanian products.