"We are gradually overcoming barriers in economic relationships, though not as quickly as we would like it to be," Leonid Kuchma said when appearing Friday at the closing ceremony of the Russia Year in Ukraine. "Convincing evidence to this is the signing of an agreement on a single economic environment." Leonid Kuchma reported that the trade turnover between the two countries in 2003 ought to make over $12 billion, that is almost 30 percent more than the year before.
"It is indeed a spectacular figure, which can be improved if the political will of the leadership is reflected in government decisions, if , instead of economic selfishness and trade wars, shall engage in studying mutual interests and considering them to the full," said the Ukrainian president.
