Georgia and Ukraine should activize trade and economic ties, News Georgia reports, citing the vice-premier of Ukraine Sergey Tigipko, who is on a visit to Tbilisi.
Tigipko will meet Premier Nika Gilauri, Finance Minister Kakho Baindurashvili and president of the National Bank Georgiy Kadagidze. On Saturday, the Ukrainian delegation will visit the Black Sea ports of Georgia — Batumi and Poti.
Tigipko expressed interest in the reform of the systems of regulation, the Interior Ministry, and tax service.
Answering the question of trade-economic ties between the two countries, the vice-premier said that they had good development in the pre-crisis period. Ukrainian investors were arriving in Georgia, to such cities as Chitaura, Batumi, ski resort of Gudauri. He believes that the economic ties will start improving after the crisis ends.
Tigipko highlighted such spheres as agriculture, noting that Georgia imports a lot of Ukrainian goods.
He recalled that Ukraine celebrates this year its 20th anniversary of the declaration of independence. Kiev has adopted an ambitious program of economic reforms, approved by President Victor Yanukovich. They will soon consider the new tax code, reform the regulation system,and pass new laws on gas and state purchases.
Tigipko critisized the authorities of Ukraine for fearing complicated reforms. The vice-premier also said that the dragging out of some of the reforms is explained by Ukraine prepraring for association with the European Union, which forces it to agree to the EU's demands.
Ex-candidate for Ukrainian president Sergey Tigipko entered the government in March, when the new Cabinet, headed by one of the leaders of the Party of Regions, Nicolay Azarov, was formed.
