Ukraine and Turkey are considering a free trade agreement that could see two-way commerce more than double to $10 billion yearly, a statement says on the Ukrainian presidential website.
The statement cited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a joint news conference he gave on August 7 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, following their meeting in Ankara.
“Bilateral trade volume in 2018 was more than $4 billion,” Zelenskiy said. “I’m certain that this is far from the limit of our potential.”
Erdogan noted the two spoke about “all aspects of Turkish-Ukrainian relations,” saying that “now is the time to finalize the negotiation process for a free trade agreement” that have been going on for many years.
Zelenskiy is on a two-day visit to Turkey.
He is also scheduled to meet members of the Ukrainian and Crimean-Tatar community, as well as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual head of Orthodox Christianity.
Ukraine, Turkey Mull Free Trade Deal
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Ankara.