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Interview: China, Ukraine enjoy vast opportunities under Silk Road Initiative: Ukrainian official

Xinhua, January 4, 2017 Adjust font size:

China and Ukraine, which are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations Wednesday, have vast potential to push forward their strategic cooperation thanks to the opportunities offered by the Silk Road Initiative, a senior Ukrainian official said Wednesday.

"This initiative opens up huge opportunities for the investment as well as for the development of cooperation in agriculture, science and technologies and other sectors," Iryna Nikorak, a secretary of Ukraine's parliamentary group on the development of relations with China, told Xinhua.

She spoke highly of the significant progress the Belt and Road Initiative has made since it was launched more than three years ago, noting that now it connects some 60 countries and represents about 35 percent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP).

"These figures are very impressive and I believe that Ukraine, given its geographical location and transit potential, should fully use the opportunities provided by this project," Nikorak said.

In particular, Ukraine, which has a free-trade area with the European Union, has the potential to become a commercial link connecting Asia with Europe, she said.

"Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China may establish enterprises and manufacturing bases in Ukraine to produce a wide variety of products and export them to European countries," Nikorak said.

Besides, the cargo train connecting Ukraine and China via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which is planned to be launched this year, could become an important tool to boost bilateral trade between the two nations.

"We must develop this route, further improve its effectiveness and make it economically attractive to enhance win-win cooperation with China," Nikorak said.

She emphasized that resolute actions are needed from the Ukrainian authorities to facilitate the country's access to the Silk Road project.

"If we show our active position on foreign policy, I think we have good chances to join this project and attract investments to our country," the official said. Endi