Ukraine, Belarus work on roadmaps to restore previous level of bilateral trade – foreign minister

"The protocol, which was adopted after a meeting of the intergovernmental commission (meeting of the Ukrainian-Belarusian intergovernmental commission, which took place in Chernihiv on July 24) demonstrates that both sides are interested in rectifying the situation. The protocol contains specific proposals, it was decided to prepare a roadmap of cooperation in industry, energy conservation, energy efficiency, transport and logistics sector and so on," Makei said at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday. He said the commodity turnover between the two countries previously reached some $8 billion. "Ukraine is the third largest trade and economic partner to us and we are, I think, the fifth largest partner to Ukraine after the big countries. Unfortunately, the commodity turnover went down to $6 billion last year and it dropped by another 50% this year," Makei said. Makei said this is the reason why contacts have now intensified on all levels and they are aimed at improving the situation in trade and economic cooperation. "I don't consider this situation tragic and I think it is possible to change it," he said. According to earlier reports, a meeting of the Ukrainian-Belarusian intergovernmental commission on trade-economic cooperation was held in Chernihiv on July 23-24. The meeting participants signed a protocol in which Ukraine, among other things, asked Belarus to explore the possibility of a gas transit from Lithuania through its territory.