Ukraine and Turkey will ratify the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the near future, and after the ratification procedure is completed, the document will enter into force in early 2024, the Economy Ministry said on Wednesday following a meeting between First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and the new Turkish Ambassador Mustafa Levent Bilgen the day before.
“The free trade agreement will also simplify logistics issues, promote the development of Ukrainian business in wartime, and open new prospects in Ukraine for our partners from Turkey,” Svyrydenko was quoted as saying in a press release.
She added that a working group on grain will be set up to discuss global and bilateral trade in this market.
“Ukraine highly appreciates Turkey’s participation in protecting the grain export initiative, which is an important factor in ensuring global food security,” the First Deputy Prime Minister said.
It is noted that the parties are also ready for a constructive dialogue on expanding economic cooperation, in particular, the creation of joint projects in priority sectors of the economy. Strategically important sectors for restoring and attracting private investment are defense, agricultural production and processing, renewable energy, gas production and storage, green metallurgy, environmentally friendly transport, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.
Svyrydenko added that Ukrainian entrepreneurs are ready to establish joint business with international partners, so the government is using every opportunity to attract additional resources, including for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
“Humanitarian demining is another important area. We need heavy demining vehicles, training for sappers, everything that will help us clear our land as soon as possible. We are open for cooperation and encourage international business to enter Ukraine,” the First Deputy Prime Minister said.
As reported, following 12 rounds of negotiations and a series of expert consultations in 2011-2022, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Turkish Trade Minister Mehmet Mush signed an FTA between the two countries in Kyiv on February 3, 2022. The document will enter into force after ratification by the parliaments of both countries and the exchange of instruments of ratification.
