On May 13, 2010 Foreign Minister K.Gryshchenko held the meeting with the Heads of the Arab diplomatic missions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

In his speech the Head of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry K.Gryshchenko highlighted that Ukrainian interests weren’t restrained by the cooperation with traditional partners such as Russia, the United States and the European Union. Ukraine has ambitious plans on developing relations with the Arab world in both promotion of political dialogue and trade and economic spheres. K.Gryshchenko emphasized that President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and Ukrainian Government were interested in paying visits to the Arab countries as well as Arab leaders visiting Kyiv in particular.

The Sides discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation in political, trade and economic, humanitarian spheres. Special attention was paid to encouraging economic ties through expansion of trade, more active participation of the Ukrainian entrepreneurs on the Arab markets, involvement of the Arab investments into the energy, construction, agricultural sectors of the Ukrainian economy.

The Arab diplomats endorsed the stabilization of political situation in Ukraine which, to their view, would contribute to the strengthening of Ukraine’s position at the international arena and, in particular, in the Arab world.

The meeting underscored the mutual interest in intensification of cooperation between Ukraine and the states of the Middle East and North Africa.