The strengthening of economic cooperation and trade between Turkey and Ukraine was discussed during a meeting in Istanbul on October 2.

The meeting took place as part of the working visit to Turkey of the Ukrainian delegation - First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, the Head of the Office of the President Andrii Yermak, First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko.

In recent years, Ukraine and Turkey have built an extremely strong foundation for cooperation in the economic, military, political, and other spheres. Last year, there was a significant - by 52% - increase in turnover, which reached $7,402.8 million. In particular, Ukrainian exports of goods to Turkey grew by 70% - to $4,142.6 million, imports by 34% - to $3,260.2 million. The war hit logistics and, accordingly, trade between countries: according to the results of 7 months, we have a decrease in turnover by 22%, in particular, exports - by 28.4%.

However, economic and military cooperation between the countries did not stop for a single day. Ukraine is grateful to Turkey for humanitarian aid, for the efforts to implement the "grain initiative". The decisions of the Government of Turkey are aimed at supporting Ukrainian businesses. During the meeting with the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, Mehmet Muş, further steps to strengthen cooperation were discussed. In particular, we agreed to speed up the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement and to implement measures designed to help Ukrainian businesses in wartime conditions.

Yuliia Svyrydenko, Minister of Economy of Ukraine

During the negotiations, the parties particularly commended the results of the implementation of the Agreement on the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea. Thus, from the start of the effect of the deal (the document was signed on July 22, 2022) until the end of September, 222 ships left Ukrainian ports, Ukrainian farmers exported 4.9 million tons of products by sea.

On October 1, another 11 ships with 217.6 thousand tons of agricultural products left Ukrainian Black Sea ports. As was emphasized during the meeting, Ukraine and Turkey are united in understanding the importance of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and stability in the Black Sea region. Also, according to the Minister of Trade Mehmet Muş, the country fully supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

Another topic of the meeting was the participation of Turkey in the implementation of the Ukraine Recovery Plan. As was mentioned, Turkey will help rebuild the Kharkiv region, which was previously agreed upon during the conference in Lugano. At the same time, Ukraine invites Turkish businesses to join the implementation of investment projects within the framework of the Recovery Plan in other regions as well.

It is worth mentioning that in April, during the talks between the First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko, and the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, Mehmet Muş, the parties discussed, in particular, the resumption of sea deliveries of products from Ukraine to Turkey and the supply of Turkish equipment for the processing of agricultural products. Meanwhile, during the meeting with the Turkish businesses, the key topics were the resumption of trade and the issue of compensation for damages caused as a result of Russian aggression.