On Friday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Martin Prayneder, President of the Federal Council of Austria

17 September 2010, 17:16

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On Friday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Martin Prayneder, President of the Federal Council of Austria

 

The Parties discussed the relations between Ukraine and the European Union. According to Martin Prayneder, "Austria is willing to support Ukraine in its European integration pursuit." "In my point of view, Ukraine is a European state. However, European integration is a gradual process," he stated.

 

V.Lytvyn stressed that Ukrainian authorities exerted efforts to guarantee high European standards of life. If Ukraine enjoys support of the European countries in its pursuit, it will give impetus to our work. The Parties discussed introduction of the visa-free regime for the Ukrainian citizens.  

 

Summing up the official visit, V.Lytvyn commented upon the pleasant and friendly atmosphere of the meetings. "If there is understanding between people, it is easier to develop inter-state relations," he stated, appreciating the high standards of relations between Ukraine and Austria. V.Lytvyn stressed that Ukraine is willing to give incentives to these relations.

 

According to V.Lytvyn, our state is interested in making economic cooperation a center of bilateral relations. Special attention should be devoted to the enhancement of cooperation in the energy sector, esp. in the field of energy-saving technologies and renewable energy sources, and in the agriculture. "We need Austrian high technologies and investments," the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stressed.  

 

For reference: for three months of 2010, the foreign trade turnover between Ukraine and Austria totaled USD 322,9 million, which is by 17% more in comparison with the corresponding period in 2009. The volume of export of Ukrainian goods totaled USD 130, 6 million (+21%), the volume of import increased to USD 192,3 million (+15%). As of April 2010, direct investments from Ukraine to Austria amounted to USD 5,1 million. The growth of Ukrainian investments into the Austrian economy totaled USD 2,3 million. Seven companies with Ukrainian capital are operating in Austria.

 

By the results of 2009, Austria occupied the fourth place among the EU member-states, main investors into the economy of Ukraine. As of the beginning of 2010, the volume of Austrian investments comprised USD 2604, 1 million.