OREANDA-NEWS. August 09, 2013. Ukraine is interested in development of trade and economic relations with Belarus. This was started by the First vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Arbuzov during his working trip to the Republic of Belarus.

"Belarus is our important trade and economic partner. Last year, trade turnover between the two countries reached record levels of USD 7.5 billion, we are interested to increase it and full use," Serhiy Arbuzov said.

He said he considers that the primary issue is solution of tasks set by Viktor Yanukovych and Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting on July 18 in Kyiv. Also important is the implementation of the agreements that the parties reached during a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation on May 22.

"We have outlined a number of specific areas for deepening cooperation. I’m confident that our further work will be intensive. It will see real positive results," Serhiy Arbuzov said.

The First vice Prime Minister of Ukraine has offered to pay particular attention to problematic issue of relations between the countries. In particular: the situation with products of Roshen and Inkerman, increasing transport licenses, expanding the presence of Ukrainian airlines in Belarusian airspace.

"I am convinced that the system will achieve concrete results. The volume of foreign trade between the two countries depends from our efficiency," Serhiy Arbuzov said.

He added that during the meeting the parties agreed on steps to implement joint projects. The First vice Prime Minister drew attention to the need to remove obstacles in trade and to strengthen inter-sectoral cooperation. He is confident that the country will increase the pace of cooperation in energy, engineering and agriculture.

"We are united with the desire to further increase economic contacts. Volumes of cooperation have to correspond to potential between the two countries at most. Today's agreement is aimed at achieving this goal," the Serhiy Arbuzov concluded.

Today Ukrainian government delegation under his leadership met with representatives of the Belarusian authorities, and Serhiy Arbuzov held talks with Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko.