Tuesday, June 16, 2009

President meets European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development

President Victor Yushchenko met today with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Mariann Fischer Boel

At the meeting sides have discussed prospects of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in agriculture - one of the leading sectors of our country’s economy.

Victor Yushchenko said that Ukraine seeks to integrate into the European agricultural market. He expressed hope that this will be facilitated by the free trade agreement, which in accordance with his prognosis will be ready for signature in the next 7-8 months. President Yushchenko suggested expanding cooperation in the field through joint programs with the European Commission technical assistance programs and Ukraine's participation in humanitarian aid programs to third countries.

During the meeting President Yushchenko briefly described agrarian reform in Ukraine. “Today we understand that the transition to private relations, lifting of the moratorium on land sales are key tasks in agriculture”, - said Victor Yushchenko.