President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky believes that Ukraine and Turkey could jointly do a lot in the field of aircraft construction and the creation of unmanned aircraft systems.
“As for the Antonov aircraft, we are certainly pleased with the interest in this enterprise. It is just as logical that in the field of aircraft construction, we can do a lot together with our Turkish friends,” he said in an interview with the Demirören Turkish news agency, answering a question whether there are new joint projects that the two countries plan to implement in the defense industry, and whether it is possible to start joint production of Turkish unmanned aircraft and the Antonov aircraft.
Zelensky said that Turkish unmanned aircraft have proven to be the best. “This is exactly the type of hardware that can completely change the situation on the battlefield. We are certainly interested in joint production. There is nothing special to explain, everything is simple. Turkey is showing serious success in this sector, and we purchase these products. Ukraine, in turn, produces engines for unmanned aircraft. Therefore, the launch of a joint venture is a natural move,” he said.
The president also said that these are far from all areas in which Ukraine can and expects to cooperate with Turkey in the context of the defense industry. “Engine building, development of air defense systems, joint production of a corvette-class ship. The potential for cooperation is huge,” Zelensky said.
The delegation of the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture, during the visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to Turkey, met with CEO of Aksoy Ventures Batu Aksoy.
Aksoy Ventures operates in the areas of electricity generation, fuel distribution and industrial construction, and is interested in the privatization of Ukrainian energy enterprises and the implementation of infrastructure facilities, the President’s Office said on its Facebook page.
“Ukraine is interested in the further growth of Turkish investments and the implementation of joint projects, including infrastructure projects under the terms of public-private partnership. In the near future, a list of priority investment projects for the state will be approved. It will, in particular, include public-private partnership projects. In addition, a new legislative platform is being formed in Ukraine – this is a bill on ‘investment nannies,’ which will significantly increase the attractiveness of Ukraine for investors,” said Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Ihor Petrashko.
In turn, President Zelensky stressed that it is important not to postpone such meetings for later. “If there is a chance, we will also meet at the weekend, discuss the details in order to move faster to attract investment. Turkish business has proved its quality in the international arena,” the head of state said.
Former President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) (2008-2018) Eugene Czolij has become the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Montreal (Canada).
“Congratulations to former President of UWCongress Eugene Czolij as new Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Montreal. Glad to expand our consular presence in Canada,” the Foreign Ministry said on Twitter.
Top 20 countries Ukraine has posted the highest surplus of trade in goods in Jan- July of 2020 (thSd USD).
Source: SSC of Ukraine
Sugar production in Ukraine as of October 16, 2020 amounted to 211,600 tonnes.
According to a report on the website of the Ukrtsukor National Association of Sugar Producers, as of that date, 26 sugar factories were operating in the country, which have processed 1.6 million tonnes of sugar beets.
As reported with reference to Ukrtsukor, the sugar beet processing season in Ukraine started on September 5.
Sugar production in the country in 2020 is projected at 1.2 million tonnes, which is 15% less than a year earlier. It is expected that 33 sugar factories will operate this season, at the level of last year.
According to the State Statistics Service, in 2020 areas under sugar beets amounted to 218,900 hectares, at the level of the last year.
Ukraine and Turkey intend to continue cooperation in order to increase Turkish investments in the implementation of infrastructure projects in Ukraine, taking into account the opportunities provided by the Big Construction program in Ukraine.
“We note the importance of the early completion of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey. We emphasize the need to intensify cooperation within the framework of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation,” Presidents of Ukraine and Turkey Volodymyr Zelensky and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in the joint statement, following their meeting in Istanbul on October 16.
Turkey welcomes Ukraine’s intention to join in observer status in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and also notes Ukraine’s interest in cooperation with the Turkic Council.
The heads of state also agreed to work towards holding the Year of Ukraine in Turkey and the Year of Turkey in Ukraine, which will further deepen cultural and humanitarian cooperation and interpersonal contacts between the countries.
