Agro Perspectiva

Azarov: Trade turnover between Ukraine and Bulgaria must be increased two-threefold

11.11.2013 10:41 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — A potential of cooperation between Ukraine and Bulgaria is now rather high. However, despite of that, the real trade turnover is far from this potential, Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov stressed during a last week meeting with Kristian Vigenin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Government Portal reports. «We should make serious efforts to increase our trade turnover two-threefold at a minimum. It will be for the benefit of both Bulgaria and Ukraine,» Mykola Azarov announced. He stressed that Bulgaria for Ukraine was not just the neighbor, Bulgaria for us was a friendly state. «It is pleasant that our contacts on top level are being restored. In particular, we highly evaluate the results of the meeting of our presidents in June of the current year,» Mykola Azarov declared. At this the Head of Ukrainian Government gave over with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria the gratitude to his Bulgarian counterpart for an invitation to pay an official visit to Bulgaria. At the same time he gave over an official invitation letter to attend Ukraine to the Head of Government of Bulgaria. «On this occasion, I hand over an invitation to my counterpart, Prime Minister of Bulgaria, to pay a visit to Ukraine. I am convinced that such two-way visits would facilitate strengthening of our relations,» the Prime Minister stressed. In particular, he noted that Ukraine was interested in Bulgarian sales market for our goods. «Ukraine can supply to your country practically the whole assortment of goods. For instance, we possess every resource for the development of hydro, thermal and nuclear power stations - the whole complex of equipment. We can supply products for the development of transport infrastructure from skids to locomotives and carriages, buses, trolley-buses and planes. Moreover, Ukraine has serious possibilities to export electric power: recently we have put in operation two new blocks and a very powerful hydroelectric unit, so now we can export electric energy to the EU countries and Russia and we make that. In a word, Ukraine can supply competitive products at very available prices,» Mykola Azarov announced. In turn Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Kristian Vigenin expressed readiness to deepen bilateral cooperation at all levels. Besides, Bulgaria actively supports Ukraine in its Eurointegration aspirations. «Ukraine can rely on Bulgaria in all issues concerning the relations with the EU. So, in this context we have agreed with the MFA of Ukraine to intensify the mutual work on the issues of European integration - issues where we can exchange our experience,» he said.