Bilateral trade between Ukraine and Turkey, which fell due to global economic crisis, could be revived this year, according to Ukrainian Vice Premier Sergiy Tigipko.
At a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Ukraine Ahmet Bulent Meric, Tigipko said that last year, trade between the two countries plunged by 53%, although in January-May considerable growth was seen, Tigipko’s press service reported.
"Turkey is an important trade partner for Ukraine, being second in terms of exports. The rapid development of Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation is evidence of the great potential for the bilateral partnership between our countries," he said.
Tigipko, who is the co-chairman of the intergovernmental Ukrainian-Turkish commission for trade and economic cooperation, said he supported the idea of organizing a Ukrainian-Turkish business forum and said he would personally promote its organization.
The vice premier said he was convinced that a great deal of progress in the talks between the two countries on a visa free regime and the creation of a free trade zone would be achieved by late 2010.