UAE and Ukraine ink slew of agreements

The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held a round of talks with the visiting Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday over mechanisms of boosting bilateral relations, tourism and two-way trade and investment opportunities, tapping the potential of both the countries. The two presidents also exchanged views on a broad range of issues of mutual concern and latest regional and international developments. Shaikh Khalifa said during the talks, held at Al Mushrif Palace in the presence of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, that the UAE was keen to further strengthen its bonds with Ukraine and hoped for broader cooperation. The UAE President also expressed the hope that the visit of the Ukrainian head of state would boost UAE-Ukraine friendship and cooperation and would open up new avenues of joint cooperation. On his part, Yanukovych said he was delighted at visiting the UAE and meeting with Shaikh Khalifa. He lauded the UAE’s achievements in various walks of life which, he noted, had earned it a prominent standing on the regional and international arena, thanks to the wise stewardship of Shaikh Khalifa. He also expressed Ukraine’s sincere interest to extend the bridge of joint cooperation, and create more promising opportunities for economic, tourist and investment cooperation. Both the UAE and Ukraine, he noted, possessed encouraging potential for constructive partnership that will serve mutual interest and bring benefits to the two friendly peoples. Agreements Later, Shaikh Khalifa and Yanukovych attended the signing of a series of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding. UAE Minister of Justice Dr Hadef Al Dhaheri and his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksandr Lavrynovych signed three treaties on legal mutual assistance on criminal matters, legal mutual assistance on civil and commercial matters and extradition of criminals. An air transport services agreement was inked by UAE Minister of Economy Sultan Al Mansouri and Chairman of Ukraine’s State Aviation Authority Anatoly Kolisnyk. Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Dmytro Tabachnyk, Ukrainian Minister of Education and Science, Youth and Sports, signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in higher education and scientific research. A memorandum of understanding between the UAE General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare and the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, Youth and Sports was signed by Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and Tabachnyk. A number of Shaikhs, ministers, top officials and members of the delegation accompanying the Ukrainian president were present at the signing ceremony. The eventual day was concluded by a lunch banquet hosted by Shaikh Khalifa in honour of his Ukrainian counterpart and his entourage.