Abu Dhabi to host UAE-Ukraine joint panel meet

Abu Dhabi: The preparatory meeting for the second UAE-Ukraine Joint Ministerial committee meetings took place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

The committee will hold its second meeting here under the co-chairmanship of Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko.

Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Khalid Ganem Al Gaith, senior Ukrainian officials and representatives of public and private sectors in both countries attended the preparatory meeting.

Both sides reviewed the distinguished relations between UAE and Ukraine and stressed the importance of implementing without delay, recommendations of the joint committee.

They also discussed ways for enhancing bilateral relations, increasing volume of two-way trade, encouraging joint investment and strengthening cooperation in the fields of energy, health care, education, sports and tourism.

The preparatory meeting also discussed a number of other major issues such as military cooperation.

Hryschenko lauded the UAE as one of Ukraine’s promising partners in the Middle East and Kiev lends special attention to its relations with the UAE.

The Ukrainian minister said that the two countries had intensified political dialogue and talks, and exchanged reciprocal visits at the highest levels.

“The expansion of diplomatic representation underscores the importance of relations with the UAE. Ukraine opened its Consulate General in Dubai and we expect the UAE to open its diplomatic mission in Kiev in the near future, a move that will further deepen our bilateral cooperation,” the Ukrainian foreign minister said.

He added that the committee will discuss mechanisms to implement promising projects in areas of investment, agriculture, energy and mechanical engineering.