OREANDA-NEWS. April 23, 2015. At the meeting in Paris, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and President of France Francois Hollande have agreed to provide a new impetus to bilateral relations between the countries.

The Heads of State have emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and economic relations, particularly in the spheres of energy, transport, agricultural and food industry, environmental protection and tourism. “We have signed a joint declaration and outlined a great volume of work that is to be done in various spheres. It is related to the modernization of economy and energy sphere, international financial support and certain projects that will lead to economic growth of Ukraine,” Francois Hollande informed.

The Ukrainian President has informed on cooperation in the sphere of privatization. “We will use the expertise of French bureau for the organization of the most transparent privatization in the history of Ukraine,” Petro Poroshenko informed. The parties have discussed the participation of French investors in the privatization of large-scale objects in Ukraine. “The presence of powerful French investors in Ukraine will facilitate strengthening of our reforms,” the President noted.

The Heads of State have agreed on the training of experts and the exchange of experience. These arrangements will have entered the first phase of implementation by May 13.

The Presidents have agreed on the development of partnership in the issues of support to the state reform in Ukraine. France is willing to provide assistance in decentralization, local government reform and territorial organization of power in Ukraine.

France is also willing to share its experience in the sphere of banking supervision, customs control, administration of public enterprises and privatization.

Ukraine and France have also agreed to enhance cooperation and exchange of experience in higher education, science, culture and sports.

The French President has particularly underlined the interest of his country in the development of closer relations in agro-industrial sector and the field of university education. He has announced the establishment of the French school in Ukraine.

Following the negotiations in Paris, Joint Declaration of Presidents has been signed. Also, the parties have signed the Administrative Agreement on Cooperation on Sustainable Development Projects between the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy of the French Republic and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine.

Petro Poroshenko has invited Francois Hollande to make an official visit to Kyiv and informed that the French President had accepted the invitation. “The results of our meetings will serve as a further intensification of comprehensive cooperation,” the President noted.