For 2009 goods turnover between Ukraine and Azerbaijan can total $800 million

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. The Ukrainian embassy in Azerbaijan forecasts that commodity turnover between the countries will exceed $1 billion next year.

On December 24, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Boris Klimchuk said that for the first time over 18 years Ukraine achieved monthly sales volume of the goods (for October) to Azerbaijan on level of $57 million.

«For the same October Ukraine bought the goods in Azerbaijan in the total amount of $73.616 million, and the lion’s share among them belongs to oil,” ambassador said.

Ukraine became 4th trading partner for Azerbaijan regarding export to Azerbaijan.

“In accordance with data of Azerbaijani statistics, over 10 months trade turnover made up $474 million, including our export to Azerbaijan - 423 million that makes 93 % versus last year. Fall is not large, less than 10%, and there are many reserves,” ambassador said.

In addition, structure of Ukrainian export to Azerbaijan has changed little.

“Presently, cars, mechanisms, electrotechnics account for 37 % in structure of our export, that is almost $140 million. Last year ferrous, non-ferrous metal and products, made from them were on the first place. Now this position is the second - 88 million (24%).

Reason for it is obvious processes - a number of large construction works has finished objectively in Azerbaijan. Reduction is not such as it would be possible to expect. The trade marks as “Roshen”, “Sandora” , “Nemiroff” and others fixed in the Azerbaijani market. 500 “Slavuta” cars were supplied for needs of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and for veterans and invalids,” ambassador said.

Ukrainian union KrAZ also won the tender and supplied more than 100 (+20) cars KrAZ to Azerbaijan.

“Commodity turnover will not exceed 1 billion but it will not be so far. I forecast $800 million over this year. It could exceed a bit. If conjecture remain and we buy the Azerbaijan oil, we will achieve more than $1 billion next year. Assessed valuation of parcel for November totals $70 million,” ambassador said.




Source:abc.az/

EU-Ukraine summit to mark new chapter in relations

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The EU aims to give Ukraine a stern warning about financial and political reform at an upcoming summit, as the two sides head into a new, more pragmatic chapter in bilateral relations.

In an anecdote told by one EU official, a close ally of Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko, Oleh Rybachuk, visited Brussels shortly after the Orange Revolution in November 2004. Following a marathon of meetings in various formats in the EU institutions, Mr Rybachuk's frustration came to a head. "He just said 'Look, who do I have to talk to round here to get Ukraine into the European Union?'" the EU official recalled.

Five years down the line, the EU has a new "foreign minister" who is preparing to attend the summit in Kiev on 4 December.

But the event is likely to be the last of its kind for the Orange Revolution hero, Mr Yushchenko, who trails badly in polls ahead of presidential elections in January.

The question of EU accession remains firmly off the agenda despite romantic ideas among some Ukrainian diplomats that the country should submit a formal application for membership next year.

The EU is equally unwilling to open up borders with its eastern neighbour: At a meeting of foreign ministers last week, only Lithuania, Estonia and Slovakia backed a plan to offer Ukraine a "roadmap" for visa-free travel in the next few years.

Even Poland, traditionally Ukraine's biggest friend in Brussels, has become fed up with its internal instability and confrontational negotiating tactics.

If Ukraine embroils the EU in a fresh gas crisis with Russia in January, as feared, or fails to hold normal presidential elections, relations will deteriorate further.

The EU is keen to keep making progress on a technical Association Agreement and to help Ukraine cope with its recession.

But European Commission plans to offer €500 million in economic aid are under review because of Kiev's unwillingness to curb public spending or to clean up waste and corruption at its national gas company, Naftogaz.

Limited objectives

In this context, the union's main objective at the summit will be to "send clear messages on the need for determined and decisive action on reform," according to an internal EU paper. The union does not expect a quick reaction. "What kind of commitment can we ask from the Ukrainians in this regard even before the elections?" the internal paper said.

Ukraine's likely next president and current prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, stands accused of cultivating an authoritarian style reminiscent of the country's pre-Orange Revolution leader, Leonid Kuchma.

She is also building closer relations with Moscow: Her recent gas deals with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin could help Russia to gain control of Naftogaz' pipeline network. Nobody expects her to follow Mr Yushchenko's plan to evict the Russian navy from Crimea in 2017 or to steer Ukraine toward Nato.

The EU's lack of ambition to anchor Ukraine to the West is criticised by some.

"There is a lack of strategic political thinking in the EU as far as Ukraine is concerned," Ukraine's deputy foreign minister, Konstantin Yeliseyev, said on a visit to Brussels last week. "I hope the current bad weather with regard to our European aspirations does not lead to a permanent ice age."

Pragmatism sets in

But the passing of the heady days of colour revolutions is being increasingly welcomed inside the EU.

A senior diplomat from one former Communist EU country told EUobserver that Ukraine is likely to act as a model for EU relations with other post-Soviet states. The contact envisaged that in the coming years the union will roll out trade and visa deals with Belarus, Moldova and Georgia. But it will not push for a democratic government in Minsk or for Chisinau and Tbilisi to regain control of Russian-held regions.

"Under Tymoshenko Ukraine will be more Kuchma-like. But she is a rational person. Ukraine will be more stable and more predictable if she is in charge," the EU diplomat said.

Source:euobserver.com