I am sure that development of our relations corresponds best with the interests of not only our two countries but also cooperation between the East and the West, stated the President of Ukraine, Victor Yanukovich yesterday (30 June) addressing the press jointly with President Mahinda Rajapaksa immediately after their bilateral talks.

One of the priorities we consider expansion of cooperation in such areas as shipbuilding, energy, fishing, industrial and infrastructural construction. At the same time, we stressed the need for using trade-economic potential of our countries in full, the President of Ukraine continued.

‘We have confirmed a common interest in uniting efforts to strengthen the multilateral system of counteraction to new global challenges and threats, including, first of all, the threat of terrorism’, he said and added, that the two leaders spoke in favor of improving cooperation between Ukraine and Sri Lanka in the framework of the United Nations and in other multilateral forums.

Following is the full text of the statement by the President of Ukraine :

Dear Mr. President!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am sincerely glad to welcome President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa in Ukraine with the official visit.

I am confident this first top-level visit in the history of our countries will be a landmark event in bilateral relations and open new opportunities for development of Ukrainian-Sri Lankan cooperation.
Very rich and meaningful negotiations on a broad range of issues have just finished. They were held in a friendly atmosphere and in a spirit of mutual understanding.

I am sure that development of our relations corresponds best with the interests of not only our two countries but also cooperation between the East and the West.

With Mr. President we have identified the prospects for further development of cooperation on the principles of good neighborliness and mutually beneficial partnerships. We have reached agreement on stirring up bilateral consultations on the most pressing issues.

One of the priorities we consider expansion of cooperation in such areas as shipbuilding, energy, fishing, industrial and infrastructural construction.

At the same time, we stressed the need for using trade-economic potential of our countries in full. First of al it applies to investment, as well as supplies of food products from Ukraine to Sri Lanka.

To this end we have agreed on a principled decision to establish a joint intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation and the Ukrainian-Sri Lankan Business Council.

In result of our negotiations we have signed several intergovernmental agreements. They significantly expand the legal framework of our relations and create a solid foundation for effective development of Ukrainian-Sri Lankan cooperation in tourism and military-technical area.

At our meeting with Mr. President, we have confirmed a common interest in uniting efforts to strengthen the multilateral system of counteraction to new global challenges and threats, including, first of all, the threat of terrorism.

Our countries have consistently advocated forming just and democratic world order aimed at peace, security and prosperity on the basis of mutual respect and consideration of interests of all countries.

We spoke in favor of improving cooperation between Ukraine and Sri Lanka in the framework of the United Nations and in other multilateral forums.

Today we have agreed to maintain regular bilateral contacts at the highest political level, as well as between foreign ministries and other government bodies.

We have made an important step in development of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Sri Lanka in the future.

In conclusion I would like to thank Mr. President for the decision to visit Ukraine and for the frank and constructive dialogue we had today.

Thank you.