UKRAINE, US FULLY PREPARED FOR BUSH VISIT, CHALYI SAYS

Ukrinform`s photo

The Ukrainian and US parties are fully prepared for the March 31 - April 1 state visit of US President George Bush to Ukraine, Deputy Head of the President's Secretariat Oleksandr Chalyi told a news briefing.

In his words, this visit is going to become a landmark event. "It is expected that the Unites States will render support to Ukraine on its plea for joining the NATO Membership Action Plan. Apart from this, Ukrainian - US relations will be taken to a much higher and qualitative level of cooperation," the deputy head of the secretariat said.

He also informed that, within the framework of the visit, three documents will be signed: a roadmap of Ukrainian - US cooperation outlining short-term priorities, the agreement on cooperation in exploration of outer space, and the agreement on trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and the US. Chalyi described that latter agreement as the first move towards creation of a free trade zone between Ukraine and the US.

Beside that, he said, in the frames of the trade and economic agreement, a council for investments will be set up with the two countries' economy ministers at the head.

UKRINFORM