ASTANA, November 24 (Itar-Tass) — Ukrainian Prime minister Nikolai Azarov said his country is ready to participate in the large program of industrialization of Kazakhstan, and invites Kazakh enterprises to take part in Ukrainian projects on the same terms.
Azarov was speaking at a news briefing after talks with his Kazakh colleague Karim Masimov.
Both countries have "a tremendous potential in the area," according to Azarov.
For his part, Masimov noted that "Kazakhstan gives priority to the industrialization program which is under presidential control."
"We'd very much like Ukrainian companies to have the opportunity to build facilities and develop joint production in Kazakhstan," he said adding that Kazakhstan is interested in the construction of oil refineries in Ukraine.
The parties noted broad transit opportunities of Ukraine. "Ukraine is a transit state traversed by paths to Europe and the Baltic region. We offer Kazakhstan to consider our transit opportunities," Azarov said.
In response, Masimov offered to open doors to Kiyev "for more vigorously promotion of Ukraine" in Asia.
Kazakhstan is ready to help Ukraine in cooperation with Customs Union (TS) members.
During the Thursday meeting, the two countries reached the accord that Kazakhstan would interact with Ukraine in order to remove unjustified barriers, and initiate the talk over this issue with the Russian leadership.
Masimov believes that the three countries could successfully interact in nuclear power generation and reach "fruitful results," as in aerospace.
The Kazakh prime minister drew attention to Ukraine’s opportunities to "become a guide" for Kazakhstan in its movement toward Europe, suggesting to Kiev its republic "as the Asian country which will open doors" to Ukrainian goods "in this part of the world."
Azarov called for setting up the Black Sea Grain Pool involving Russia. The three countries could account for 20 percent of world grain experts, which would make it a serious player in the world.