KIEV, UKRAINE — With Ukraine diversifying its agricultural market, cooperation with Iran is important for international relations, said Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Oleksiy Pavlenko during a meeting on July 22 with representatives of the business delegation of Iran.

During the meeting the parties discussed the expectations of the cooperation between Ukraine and Iran in agriculture, which was recognized as a priority.

"For six months Ukraine exported agricultural products to Iran totaling $350 million,” said Pavlenko. “Today the main export items are oil seeds ($134.6 million), cereals ($108.3 million) and oil ($99.4 million). We are considering the possibility of expanding cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, including increased exports of grain and livestock products and the implementation of joint programs in the field of agricultural engineering and science education.”

A meeting with the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Iranian Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation is scheduled for mid-September. Both governments hope the meeting will further cooperation and trade between the two countries.