Ukrainian president to visit Jordan in April

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych will start a two-day visit to the Kingdom on April 16, marking the first visit by a Ukrainian head of state since the two countries established diplomatic ties 20 years ago, the Ukrainian ambassador said on Monday. Ambassador Serhiy Pasko said the visit adds a new brick in the wall of the distinguished relations between Amman and Kiev, adding that his government highly appreciates the diplomatic role Jordan is playing in spreading the culture of democracy and freedom of expression in the region, as well as the peace process. "The two sides will sign a number of agreements during the visit of our president to the Kingdom, which we believe will boost bilateral cooperation and further enhance ties at all levels," the envoy told The Jordan Times a day after the regional meeting in Amman of Ukrainian ambassadors in the Middle East and the North Africa (MENA) region. Referring to the meeting, which was inaugurated by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko on Sunday, Pasko said his government chose Jordan to host the gathering because of its important role as an active political player in the region. During the meeting, which was partly attended by Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, the Ukrainian heads of missions in the MENA region discussed the latest political developments and the repercussions of the Arab Spring, he noted, adding that Ukraine is interested in maintaining good relations with all states in the region. Turning to bilateral cooperation, Pasko underlined that more than 3,000 Jordanian students are now studying at Ukrainian universities, adding that the number of visit visas issued to Jordanians increased by 27 per cent last year to 782. Moreover, he said trade volume last year exceeded $440 million, noting that Jordan’s exports to Ukraine in 2011 also increased by 127 per cent to more than $27 million, mostly agricultural products.