Kyiv, Ankara agree to boost free trade area talks

"We have agreed to boost negotiations on a free trade area agreement and a number of other bilateral documents, including an avoidance of double taxation agreement and an agreement on the mutual protection of investments," the press service quoted Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko as saying. "We have invited Turkey to take active part in privatization processes," Poroshenko said at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held in Ankara on Wednesday after bilateral negotiations. According to Poroshenko, Ukraine and Turkey will be expanding cooperation in international multimodal and container transit and will be searching for other efficient logistic solutions. The sides pledged to step up their involvement in bilateral and multilateral energy projects and to promote cooperation in tourism, for instance, to provide Turkish resort discounts for Ukrainian nationals, the press service said. Poroshenko thanked the Turkish president for the assistance to Ukraine and mentioned a $50 million loan agreement signed in February during a visit of the Turkish prime minister to Kyiv. The Turkish president reiterated the promise of $10 million for Ukrainian humanitarian needs and urged the international community to bolster assistance to Ukraine.