Ukraine is interested in developing dynamic and untrammeled trade and economic relations with Russia, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said at a meeting with Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, on Monday in Kyiv.

"Last year our trade with Russia reached a record of USD 62 billion, an increase by 40% compared with 2010. Such a trend is difficult to maintain, but we would like our relations to develop upward, that there are no barriers - it is our principled position," said Azarov.

At the same time, the prime minister noted that the introduction of a free trade area in the CIS will fundamentally improve the implementation of various cooperation projects of Ukraine and Russia. According to him, very promising, in particular, is cooperation in the field of aviation, namely, a joint serial production of An-70 at the Kazan Production Association named after S.P. Gorbunov for the Russian army.

Apart from this, the sides also discussed the introduction of a utilization fee on cars produced in Ukraine by Russia. "As for the utilization fee we have suggested signing an agreement to abolish the fee or its mutual non-use for us not to launch the appropriate compensation mechanisms," said Azarov.

Ukrinform