Kolesnikov says Ukraine, US could sign Open Skies agreement in 2012

Washington - Ukraine and the U.S. could sign an Open Skies agreement in 2012, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Borys Kolesnikov said after negotiations with the leadership of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the management of Boeing in Washington.

"The main subject of the negotiations is aviation. I think we will be very close to an Open Skies with the U.S. and that we will sign an Open Skies this year," Kolesnikov said at a news conference following the negotiations.

The agreement would enable Ukrainian airlines to resume the provision of air transportation services, which they lost in 2005, he said.

"That is, Ukrainian airlines will be able to fly to any U.S. city without restrictions, as well as any U.S. companies will be able to fly to any city of Ukraine," he said.

Kolesnikov also described as very useful his meetings with partners from the U.S. Department of Transportation and officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Railroad Administration. "The meetings were very efficient. The American experience is priceless - after all, this is the leading economy in the world," he said.