Ukraine, Turkey may sign free trade agreement - Zelensky

He said this at a joint briefing with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday, August 7, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Cooperation between our countries is extremely rich. We will hold the eighth meeting of the [Ukraine-Turkey] High-Level Strategic Council in Kyiv by the end of the year. We have agreed on the further expansion of trade, economic and investment cooperation. In 2018, our bilateral trade amounted to over $4 billion. I'm sure that's far from the limit of our potential. The implementation of joint projects and the liberalization of bilateral trade will help realize this potential," Zelensky said.

He also said that Erdogan had assured him that trade between Ukraine and Turkey could reach $10 billion.

"The conclusion of a free trade agreement will also facilitate this. I hope that our sides will be able to reach a compromise on this issue as soon as possible and prepare all the necessary documents," Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president also invited Turkish businesses to Ukraine and guaranteed them comfortable work.

"We spoke with Mr. President Erdogan about cooperation in the construction of roads, airports, seaports, in defense, energy, and tourism. In the next few years, Ukraine's [GDP] will grow rapidly to 5-7% per year. To this end, we will carry out this fall a number of necessary reforms that will make Ukraine a magnet for foreign investors. We have already started active work in this area, and I am glad to invite Turkish businesses to Ukraine. I personally serve as the guarantor of your comfortable work in Ukraine. Let's grow together," Zelensky said.

op