Ukraine economy minister visits Turkey to discuss free trade deal

Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has arrived in Turkey, aiming to strengthen economic cooperation with Ankara and discuss the ratification of a free trade agreement, Svyrydenko said on Thursday.

“On the agenda was also expanding cooperation between Ukrainian & Turkish businesses within the framework of the free trade agreement, as well as in the context of Ukraine’s reconstruction and integration with the EU,” Svyrydenko said on X social network.

She said food security, Ukrainian peace initiatives, regional trade, navigation security and demining Black Sea waters were also in focus.

Turkey is among Ukraine’s top five trading partners and the free trade agreement will cancel duties on a significant number of Ukrainian goods making them more competitive.

The date of the ratification has not yet been determined by the Ukrainian parliament.