Czech Republic, Ukraine deepen mutual cooperation

Ukraine and the Czech Republic have reached a number of agreements in tax, military, technical, and migration areas. The measures have been signed by representatives of the two countries in presence of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and Czech President Milos Zeman, the Information-analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

The two leaders discussed further steps during the meeting to deepen political dialogue and signed a number of important documents, which will help deepen and expand cooperation between the two countries. In particular, they pledged to intensify mutually beneficial trade.

The simplified visa regime between the countries was an issue raised during the the discussion between presidents. Zeman said the Czech Republic supports the liberalization of visa regime with Ukraine. "We would like to and are aiming to liberalize the visa regime. Because we believe that liberalized visa regime will boost our mutual cooperation," the Czech president said. To this end, an increase the number of consul-generals in Ukraine was agreed.

The agenda of the meeting included other important issues. The leaders agreed on a number of documents. They signed a protocol to a convention between Governments of Ukraine and Czech Republic to avoid double taxation and prevent tax evasion. The documents also included an agreement between defense ministries of the two countries on mutual quality control of defense products within the military-technical cooperation and Inter-Governmental Agreement on military graves. The parties also agreed on intergovernmental implementation of a protocol to the agreement between Ukraine and the EU on readmission, creating a legal basis and determining the procedure of readmission.

Yanukovich expressed hope for enhanced intergovernmental cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic following the elections in Czech Republic and formation of new Cabinet of Ministers in the country.

"I hope that elections to be held on October 25-26, 2013, will form the Czech government soon, and cooperation between governments of our countries will be also activated," Yanukovich said.

Analysts say economic cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic is stable and can be further developed.

Mutual trade turnover during 2012 between the countries was equal to 1.94 billion USD (exports of Ukrainian goods to Czech Republic – 707 million USD, and imports of goods – 1.24 billion USD). By comparison, in 2011 Ukrainian export of goods to Czech Republic amounted to 842 million USD, with imports from the Czech Republic totalling 1.18 billion USD.

According to Ukraines' State Statistics Service, Czech exports to Ukraine include spare parts for vehicles (11.24%), telecommunication equipment (7.07%), vehicles (4.15%), materials (4%), railroad equipment (2%), diodes, transistors (2%), equipment for industrial sector (2%).

Ukrainian exports to Czech Republic largely include such items as iron ore and concentrates (55%), rolled products of iron and steel (9.32%), oil products (5.87%), power distribution equipment (4.35%), electricity (3.85%), coke (2.66%), ores and concentrates (1.52%), cast iron (1.4%), electrical devices (1.3%), furniture (1.0%), vegetable fats and oils (0.73%).