Ukraine to reach out to Customs Union via Belarus

20:42, 25 May 2012

MINSK. May 25. KAZINFORM Ukraine can expand contacts with the Customs Union via Belarus, First Vice Premier of Ukraine Valery Khoroshkovsky said at a session of the Belarus-Ukraine intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation in Minsk on 25 May, BelTA has learnt.

"We have made much progress by now. Our great interest is largely attributed to the new format of cooperation. It is not only about Belarus-Ukraine relations, but also relations between Ukraine and the Customs Union," Valery Khoroshkovsky said.

Belarus and Ukraine succeed in resolving disputes, like the one over restrictions on Ukrainian beer imports to Belarus. This issue has been settled, Valery Khoroshkovsky emphasized. However, there are still a number of issues requiring discussion and "a reasonable approach".

Valery Khoroshkovsky informed that Ukraine initialed the association agreement with the European Union, including a free trade zone agreement. "We need to look for a platform allowing mutually beneficial cooperation with the European Union and the Customs Union via Belarus," Valery Khoroshkovsky said.

In his view, there are no irresolvable disputes between Belarus and Ukraine. The issues requiring consideration will be thoroughly analyzed and resolved.

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