Ukraine, Belarus to formalize agreements reached in Gomel by end of May

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"Ukraine and Belarus don't have any serious problems in mutual relations between their nations and we should praise this historical entity," Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said after a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in Gomel on Wednesday.

Yushchenko said that he had agreed with Lukashenko that a meeting between the Ukrainian and Belarusian prime ministers would soon be organized in Ukraine.

"We discussed many projects, including those in the energy and transit sectors, and in the humanitarian sphere," he said. "We agreed that all of the agreements we reached [today] should be formalized, better this month. These agreements include the liberalization of customs and trade regimes between Ukraine and Belarus," Yushchenko said.

Speaking about a wide range of international issues, he said that the two countries are mutually interested in their participation in the Eastern Partnership projects. "We have very similar positions in this connection. Our countries are very interested in specific projects presented through participation in this initiative, which could have a positive effect on the economic state of our countries," Yushchenko said.

The presidents also discussed projects on opening new departments for Ukrainian and Belarusian languages in Ukrainian and Belarusian universities that will help national minorities in the two countries preserve their historical roots, culture, and ethnical self-consciousness.

Yushchenko and Lukashenko last met in Chernihiv on January 20, 2009. During their meeting, they spoke about prospects for joint work in the field of energy and transit.

UKRINFORM