Dačić and Yanukovych on ways of expanding cooperation

BELGRADE PM Ivica Dacic and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych agreed during a meeting on Friday that cooperation between the two countries was "on the upswing." They met on the second day of Yanukovych's official visit to Serbia, and discussed possibilities for expanding cooperation in the energy sector, transportation, agriculture and machine building. Dacic and Yanukovych on ways of expanding cooperation They also talked about interest from Ukrainian companies in participating the revitalization of the Smederevo steel mill in the role of a strategic partner. They confirmed the two countries' commitment to joint projects in third markets, the government press office said in a release. Dacic and Yanukovych agreed to speed up the preparation of a free trade agreement which should be signed in Kiev this fall, when the Serbian prime minister visits Ukraine. The agreement should considerably boost trade between Serbia and Ukraine. Dacic thanked Yanukovych for Ukraine's principled support to Serbia "in solving the Kosovo issue." (Tanjug) Free trade agreement in works Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych voiced their belief on Friday that a free trade agreement between the two countries will be signed by the year's end. At the opening of a Serbia-Ukraine business forum in Belgrade, Dacic expressed hope that he will have opportunity to sign this agreement as early as autumn, during his official visit to Kiev. He stated that emphasis should be placed on Serbia-Ukraine cooperation in the field of metallurgy, agricultural complex, energy, construction industry, improving transit and delivery of goods and greater participation of Ukraine in the privatization of companies in Serbia. Dacic pointed out that the bilateral relations are characterized by friendship and understanding, as the two peoples are connected by cultural and historic ties that should be confirmed at the level of economy, and urged businessmen to cooperate in the best possible way. He noted with regret that the past two years saw a decline in trade and stagnation of economic cooperation between the two countries, adding that he expects that President Yanukovych's visit will help overcome the situation. The prime minister stated that economic recovery is the national priority for the Serbian government and that there should be a growth in macroeconomic indicators next year. "These days the government is discussing a package of measures that aims at further financial consolidation and reduction of budget deficit. But, what is even more important is how to increase revenues and economic activity in times of crisis," Dacic underlined. He also stated that the government is determined to persist in reducing the fiscal deficit and debt, but also to transform the public sector and enhance the investment climate, which, with a positive decision of the EU in terms of the start of membership talks Serbia is awaiting, should have a positive effect on attracting foreign investments. President Yanukovych voiced belief that businessmen who came to the forum are able to significantly raise the level of Serbia-Ukraine economic relations together with their governments. Yanukovych said that raising the level of economy and the standard of living is a common priority and added that the principle of public-private partnership will bring motivation and have a good effect on all areas. He also expressed hope that steady upward trend in foreign trade cooperation will be established this year. Joint business activities have to be one of the main ways to activate economic cooperation, and the two governments will remove all barriers in order for that to happen, Yanukovych said. Prime Minister Dacic and President Yanukovych both voiced hope that companies from Serbia and Ukraine will jointly participate in third markets. Tanjug

Dačić and Yanukovych on ways of expanding cooperation

They also talked about interest from Ukrainian companies in participating the revitalization of the Smederevo steel mill in the role of a strategic partner.

They confirmed the two countries' commitment to joint projects in third markets, the government press office said in a release.

Dačić and Yanukovych agreed to speed up the preparation of a free trade agreement which should be signed in Kiev this fall, when the Serbian prime minister visits Ukraine.

The agreement should considerably boost trade between Serbia and Ukraine.

Dačić thanked Yanukovych for Ukraine's principled support to Serbia "in solving the Kosovo issue."

Free trade agreement in works

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych voiced their belief on Friday that a free trade agreement between the two countries will be signed by the year's end.

At the opening of a Serbia-Ukraine business forum in Belgrade, Dačić expressed hope that he will have opportunity to sign this agreement as early as autumn, during his official visit to Kiev.

He stated that emphasis should be placed on Serbia-Ukraine cooperation in the field of metallurgy, agricultural complex, energy, construction industry, improving transit and delivery of goods and greater participation of Ukraine in the privatization of companies in Serbia.

Dačić pointed out that the bilateral relations are characterized by friendship and understanding, as the two peoples are connected by cultural and historic ties that should be confirmed at the level of economy, and urged businessmen to cooperate in the best possible way.

He noted with regret that the past two years saw a decline in trade and stagnation of economic cooperation between the two countries, adding that he expects that President Yanukovych's visit will help overcome the situation.

The prime minister stated that economic recovery is the national priority for the Serbian government and that there should be a growth in macroeconomic indicators next year.

"These days the government is discussing a package of measures that aims at further financial consolidation and reduction of budget deficit. But, what is even more important is how to increase revenues and economic activity in times of crisis," Dačić underlined.

He also stated that the government is determined to persist in reducing the fiscal deficit and debt, but also to transform the public sector and enhance the investment climate, which, with a positive decision of the EU in terms of the start of membership talks Serbia is awaiting, should have a positive effect on attracting foreign investments.

President Yanukovych voiced belief that businessmen who came to the forum are able to significantly raise the level of Serbia-Ukraine economic relations together with their governments.

Yanukovych said that raising the level of economy and the standard of living is a common priority and added that the principle of public-private partnership will bring motivation and have a good effect on all areas.

He also expressed hope that steady upward trend in foreign trade cooperation will be established this year.

Joint business activities have to be one of the main ways to activate economic cooperation, and the two governments will remove all barriers in order for that to happen, Yanukovych said.

Prime Minister Dačić and President Yanukovych both voiced hope that companies from Serbia and Ukraine will jointly participate in third markets.