§ Lord Hyltonasked her Majesty's Government:
What were the most recent figures for exports and imports between the United Kingdom and the Ukraine; whether they have forecast figures for the current year; and what were the outcomes of the recent visit to the Ukraine by the Foreign Secretary. [HL2196]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe most recent figures for UK-Ukraine trade are:
£million 1999 1998 1997 UK exports 145 168 164 UK imports 48 50 38 Forecast trade figures are not available.
200WADuring the Foreign Secretary's visit to Ukraine on 11/12 April, he met with the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and a range of pro-Government and Opposition parliamentarians. He signed a memorandum of understanding providing for regular dialogue on a number of foreign policy themes between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also announced the establishment of a dialogue between senior advisers in the Prime Minister's office and the Ukrainian Presidential Administration. The Foreign Secretary opened the new British Council building in Kiev, visited the new BBC offices and studio and announced a further UK pledge of £ 10.6 million to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund.
President Kuchma reconfirmed the Ukrainian intention to close ther remaining nuclear reactor at Chernobyl by the end of the year. The Foreign Secretary raised a number of issues on behalf of UK investors. President Kuchma and Prime Minister Yushchenko expressed a strong desire to see obstacles to further UK investment removed.