Ukraine, Hungary pleased with political, cultural, trade, economic cooperation

During his joint press conference with Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said the parties were unanimous in their high assessment of the level of bilateral diplomatic and cultural contacts, and the growing dynamic of trade and economic cooperation.

Touching on reliability of gas transit to Europe, Yushchenko emphasized that Ukraine never stood in the way of the Russian gas to the Hungarian and European markets, and will never block Hungary's way to the Russian gas. "This is our interest, and Ukraine will unswervingly abide by its gas transit commitments. The developments in the gas market once again pointed to the need for creating in Europe a single wholesale system of gas market," the Ukrainian President emphasized noting that the recent international investment conference in Brussels on modernization of Ukraine's gas transportation system was an important move in this direction.

Hungary confirmed its consistent support to Ukraine's European and Euroatlantic policy. Hungary further support European Union's enlargement, and in this context it will always try to leave the EU door open for Ukraine to obtain full-fledged membership, the Hungarian President said adding the same concerns the relations with NATO.

The parties also analyzed implementation of the Ukraine - Hungary minor border traffic agreement, which may serve as a good example to other European neighbors of Ukraine.

Yushchenko invited Solyom to the international scientific conference on ecology of the Carpathian region due in Uzhhorod in September.

Ukraine also initiated revision of the 1992 agreement on environmental protection and development of territories.

Yushchenko thanked Solyom for putting up the monument to Taras Shevchenko in Budapest in 2007, and the monument to Ukraine's 1932 - 1933 Great Famine (Holodomor) victims to be unveiled in an official ceremony on April 29.

UKRINFORM