Ukraine and Spain will continue working together to conclude an agreement on a common aviation space. The issue of creating additional travel opportunities for citizens was discussed during a telephone conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation of Spain Arancha Gonzalez Laya.
“The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has consistently advocated for Ukrainians’ opportunities to travel freely around Europe and the world. We are working hard to create new opportunities for air travel between Ukraine and the EU countries. The agreement on a joint aviation space just creates such opportunities. We will do everything to conclude this agreement,” Kuleba said, the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported.
Both sides stated that the conclusion of the Agreement on the common aviation space meets mutually beneficial interests and will contribute to the intensification of business, tourist and interpersonal contacts.
The ministers also discussed the importance of enhancing bilateral economic and investment cooperation. It is noted that the creation of additional business opportunities will be facilitated by the signing of the Convention on Avoiding Double Taxation between Ukraine and Spain.
The parties also exchanged information on measures taken by the governments of both countries to counter the spread of COVID-19. Kuleba thanked the Spanish government for the assistance in returning Ukrainian citizens home.
Arancha Gonzalez Laya, in turn, confirmed the invariable position of Spain in the matter of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The duty of 65% on coal imported from the Russian Federation to Ukraine with some exceptions is imposed from April 15, 2020, according to government resolution No. 261 dated March 18.
The exception is anthracite coal, bituminous coal and coking coal for metal industry, as well as lean coal for companies generating electricity and heat.
The imposition of the duty on imported electricity earlier announced at the government meeting is not envisaged in the document.
The Economy Secretariat (Secretaría de Economía) of Mexico has announced the launch of an administrative procedure for reviewing safeguard duties imposed on hot rolled sheets originated from Ukraine and Russia.
According to the announcement made on March 26, 2020 on official website of the Mexican government bulletin, the duties are being reviewed as the duties imposed earlier expired.
According to the document, safeguard duties on hot rolled sheets were imposed by Mexico on March 28, 2000 in the amount of 46.66% for Ukraine and 30.31% for Russia. On March 17, 2006, the duties were extended. After the new revision on September 8, 2011 it was decided to cut the duties for Ukraine to 25% and to 21% for Russia. On January 28, 2016 it was decided to extend the duties.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a list of cities abroad, from which Ukrainians will be able to return to their homeland for free or at reduced prices.
“We have formed so-called hub points. Once you get there, you will be able to get to Ukraine for free or at discounted prices. These are the cities of Istanbul, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Prague, Berlin, Warsaw, Przemyśl, Vienna, Bratislava, Riga and Vilnius,” he said in his address in connection with the introduction of quarantine in the country.
Biosphere Corporation has noted a sharp increase in demand from European countries for the TM Smile antibacterial wipes it produces in the context of the rapid expansion of the coronavirus epidemic, the corporation told Interfax-Ukraine.
“The increase in demand for antibacterial wipes is understandable: it’s easier to protect yourself from any virus than to cure. Observing the EU trends, we are ready for the predicted surge in consumer activity in Ukraine, especially with regard to the demand for Smile Antibacterial wipes with alcohol,” head of business product line Hygiene of Biosphere Corporation Oleksandr Lavrov said.
According to the corporation, the demand has grown seven times in Poland, 10 times in Bulgaria, three times in Lithuania and two times in Estonia.
The aviation authorities of Ukraine and Turkey have agreed to significantly expand regular flights, Ukraine’s Ministry of Infrastructure has said.
“Based on the results of successful negotiations at the level of the aviation authorities of Ukraine and Turkey, regular flights with the Republic of Turkey were substantially expanded. The weekly frequency for passenger transportation on most routes was almost doubled. The limit on the number of flights was removed for the Odesa-Istanbul route. Cargo transportation is also without restrictions,” Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Krykliy said.
According to him, now 11 cities of Ukraine have the opportunity of direct air communication with Turkey, namely Kyiv, Odesa, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Zaporizhia.
“This is an impetus for the development of regional airports. Thanks to the State Aviation Administration for a good work. We are not resting on our laurels. We are confidently stepping west towards the Open Sky,” the minister said.
The minister also emphasized that the expansion of regular international and domestic flights to/from Ukrainian cities is an important part of the integrated development of the aviation industry in Ukraine.
“We liberalize international air transportation, modernize regional airports, create equal conditions for airlines to enter and develop a transparent and competitive market for passenger and cargo transportation by air,” Krykliy said.
