Bush, tymoshenko discuss diversification of gas supplies and economic cooperation
01 April 2008
Published in Interfax
U.S. President George W. Bush and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko discussed during their meeting in Kyiv on Tuesday the diversification of gas supplies, Ukraine's joining NATO, the fight against corruption in Ukraine, and economic cooperation between Ukraine and the United States, First Vice Premier Oleksandr Turchynov told the press after a meeting of the delegations of the two countries.
It was an interesting talk. It addressed energy issues, and the politics of the region," he said.
U.S. President George W. Bush and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko discussed during their meeting in Kyiv on Tuesday the diversification of gas supplies, Ukraine's joining NATO, the fight against corruption in Ukraine, and economic cooperation between Ukraine and the United States, First Vice Premier Oleksandr Turchynov told the press after a meeting of the delegations of the two countries.
It was an interesting talk. It addressed energy issues, and the politics of the region," he said.
In particular, Bush and Tymoshenko discussed the
diversification of gas supplies to Ukraine by the
provision of direct contracts with Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, and the issue of gas
transit to Europe.
Turchynov said Bush and Tymoshenko discussed the issue of cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in the issue of provision of direct gas contracts with the countries of the Central Asia.
The meeting also addressed " European integration, the fight against corruption, investment cooperation with the participation of U.S. companies in the large privatization being planned in Ukraine," Turchynov said.
Talking to Interfax-Ukraine, Turchynov said the topic of Russia was discussed at the meeting "in the context of issues related to gas transit from Asia."
Turchynov said the greater part of the meeting concerned economic issues.
"We were interested in investment, including in the energy sector," he said.
According to Turchynov, Bush did not rule out that a free trade area could be created between Ukraine and the United States.
"He did not rule out this question, if Ukraine manages to create a free trade area with Europe," he said, adding that "these two questions could be addressed simultaneously."
Tymoshenko and Bush had a private meeting after the meeting of the delegations, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.
First Vice Premier Turchynov told the press such a meeting was not planned and was proposed by President Bush.
According to a program of the visit of President Bush, Yulia Tymoshenko is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after her meeting with Bush.
Turchynov said Bush and Tymoshenko discussed the issue of cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in the issue of provision of direct gas contracts with the countries of the Central Asia.
The meeting also addressed " European integration, the fight against corruption, investment cooperation with the participation of U.S. companies in the large privatization being planned in Ukraine," Turchynov said.
Talking to Interfax-Ukraine, Turchynov said the topic of Russia was discussed at the meeting "in the context of issues related to gas transit from Asia."
Turchynov said the greater part of the meeting concerned economic issues.
"We were interested in investment, including in the energy sector," he said.
According to Turchynov, Bush did not rule out that a free trade area could be created between Ukraine and the United States.
"He did not rule out this question, if Ukraine manages to create a free trade area with Europe," he said, adding that "these two questions could be addressed simultaneously."
Tymoshenko and Bush had a private meeting after the meeting of the delegations, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.
First Vice Premier Turchynov told the press such a meeting was not planned and was proposed by President Bush.
According to a program of the visit of President Bush, Yulia Tymoshenko is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after her meeting with Bush.