In the first half of 2016, Ukraine and Latvia will hold a meeting of the intergovernmental trade and economic commission. Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk announced following the meeting with Prime Minister of Latvia Laimdota Straujuma in the framework of the working visit to Riga on Friday, November 6.

According to him, the agenda of the Commission contains, in particular the ZUBR project in transport area: "For this purpose there have been launched technical consultations, which should result into the signing of an agreement between Ukraine and Latvia to increase the supply of goods under the ZUBR project.

Another aspect of cooperation between the two countries, Arseniy Yatsenyuk said, is air conveyance: "Due to the fact that Ukraine has imposed sanctions against Russian airlines, we are currently developing air services provided by both Ukrainian and Latvian companies".

Latvia is also ready to support Ukraine in establishing an effective system of forest management and overcoming corruption in this sphere. Arseniy Yatsenyuk reminded that the the Latvian State Forests is one of the most efficient companies in the European Union: "We have agreed that ministers of agrarian policy of the two countries together with the heads of the aforesaid state company of Latvia and the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine will hold consultations - in fact, the Latvian specialists will facilitate us to carry out reforms in this sector. On the one hand, to create an effective system of state forest management, on the other - to fight corruption in this sector".

Moreover, Arseniy Yatsenyuk informed that a broad project of training Ukrainian civil servants in Latvia is to commence: "First, it will apply to civil servants involved in trade issues and the implementation of the agreement on a free trade area".

"Ten deputy ministers on European integration are to come to Latvia for experience exchange", he stressed.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk expressed gratitude to the Head of the Latvian Government for the meeting of Prime Ministers of the Baltic States and Ukraine on November 5: "We were assured of real support by our Baltic partners in European integration issue".

During yesterday's meeting the parties agreed to hold a meeting in this format in Kyiv.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine appealed to the Prime Minister of Latvia: "Over 20 years ago you decided that you would be an EU member. You made this decision then – and you have achieved it. We have also taken a decision, so we will do this together".