Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-06-08

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, Ukraine sign cooperation pacts

[01] Greece, Ukraine sign cooperation pacts

A joint ministerial committee of the two countries signed the protocol for economic, industrial, technological and scientific cooperation. An agreement was also initialled by the Greek Standardisation Organisation and its Ukraini counterpart; and another on post offices is due to be signed in October.

"The contacts I had on an economic and political level were constructive. They represent the first step for implementation of a joint decision by the Greek prime minister and Ukraini president on building strategic economic relations between the two countries," Stylianidis told a news conference.

During his visit at the head of a 50-member delegation, Stylianidis pointed out that Greek investments in Ukraine totalled about 350 million dollars from 80 companies. Among them are a subsidiary of Athens-quoted engineering contractor Mechaniki; and Athens-quoted Germanos, which is expected to run 300 stores in Ukraine by 2008.

"There is great leeway to upgrade business ties," Stylianidis noted.

Stylianidis held talks with Ukraine's deputy foreign, industry and finance ministers.

He also addressed a Greek-Ukrainian business forum on the sidelines of the committee's meeting, saying that bilateral trade was low, despite rising to 250 million US dollars in 2005; and that the trade balance was in Ukraine's favour.

"This needs to be equalised, benefitting both countries," he noted.

Greek firms were especially interested in construction projects in Ukraine, along with tourism and energy, he added.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article