Ukraine, Turkey continue preparing free trade agreement despite COVID-19
Ukrinform | 18 May 2020
Ukraine, Turkey continue preparing free trade agreement despite COVID-19
The global coronavirus pandemic has not stopped the negotiation process for the signing of Ukraine-Turkey Free Trade Agreement.
"Negotiations on the FTA continue despite the pandemic. The Ukrainian and Turkish sides continue to work, remaining true to the slogan ‘Let’s grow together’,” Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey Andrii Sybiha said in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek Türkiye.
He pointed out that both countries were trying to maintain the dynamics of bilateral relations despite the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting to new quarantine realities.
"Meetings and exchanges of views have taken place at all levels, from the highest to the lowest. We exchange views to minimize the negative consequences of the pandemic in the economy," the diplomat added.
Sybiha reminded that Ukraine-Turkey trade turnover had increased by 22.3% in 2019 compared to the previous year and reached almost USD 5 billion.
"Actually, we are working not to lose this dynamics. In this context, we have also found a mutually beneficial formula for the movement of cargoes by trucks, which play an important role in trade between the two countries. At present, they work unhindered," the Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey stressed.
As reported, the consultations on economic cooperation with Ukraine took place in Turkey last week.
