President Yanukovych: Ukraine interested in economic cooperation with Greece

"Ukraine is interested in expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation, which have slightly shrunk due to the global financial recession,” said the President of Ukraine.

According to the President, among the priorities is restoring and increasing bilateral turnover, as current Greek-Ukrainian cooperation does not meet the potential of the two countries.

"I think that Ukraine could make use of experience of Greek companies that developed projects in preparation for 2004 Olympics in Athens,” said Viktor Yanukovych. On the other hand, he said, Ukrainian companies have significant experience in designing and building oil and gas pipelines, and therefore could be involved as subcontractors in such projects in Greece.

Cooperation in machinery and shipbuilding as well as in development of renewable energy between Ukraine and Greece could also be beneficial according to President Yanukovych.

From his part, the Greek President praised the attention of the Ukrainian government and the President of Ukraine to the needs of a large Greek diaspora of Ukraine. According to Karolos Papoulias, such attention of the Ukrainian authorities to the Greek community is working to strengthen the historic ties between our countries.

The Greek President reminded that tens of thousands of Greek nationals are living in Ukraine.

Clearly, he noted, this state of affairs only "strengthens cordial relations between Ukraine and Greece.”