Yushchenko, Aliyev, discussed energy cooperation

According to Ukraine's Unian news agency, they discussed Ukrainian-Azeri economic and energy cooperation and “thoroughly studied economic capabilities of the two countries."

Mr. Yushchenko stated that Ukraine was ready to launch Odesa-Brody joint projects. The leaders then considered prospects of building an oil-pipeline from Brody to Gdansk. They spoke about the readiness of the European Union and the European Bank to fund this project.

The Heads of State discussed ways to purify Azeri crude oil at Ukrainian refineries and also open a chain of Azeri gas stations throughout the country. Mr. Yushchenko promised to form a working group within three days to professionally work out projects that would be submitted to the governments of Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

In his turn, Mr. Aliyev said he was pleased with his visit to Ukraine.

"I appreciate our relations and I am pleased with their dynamics, which benefits us but also ensures development of the region," he said, adding that prospects of energy cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan were "becoming quite real".

"We have considered these issues carefully and I am sure the group of experts will analyze everything and soon present specific economic parameters of future agreements."