The European perspective of Ukraine, the strengthening of trade and economic relations and the development of green energy were discussed during a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Denis Shmygal and Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Negammer. This is reported by the Government Portal.

Head of the Ukrainian government stressed that on January 24 Ukraine and Austria celebrate the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations.

"Our intergovernmental cooperation is a vivid example of the strength and effectiveness of the Ukrainian-Austrian partnership. In this regard, I hope that Austria will soon become the next country that will support the European perspective of Ukraine on a bilateral basis and the declaration will be signed during the meeting with the President of Ukraine", - Denis Shmygal said and invited Karl Negammer to visit Ukraine with an official visit.

Prime Minister noted that in the future Ukraine wants to become the main supplier of green hydrogen to Europe, so Ukraine counts on political support of Austria in the implementation of the project on production of green hydrogen in Ukraine.

During the conversation the sides also discussed an increase in trade turnover between the countries. As the Prime Minister of Ukraine noted last year the bilateral trade resumed after the negative consequences of pandemic COVID-19.

"According to the results of 11 months of last year, the trade turnover between our countries amounted to more than $1.6 billion. We have set an ambitious goal - to increase trade turnover up to $2 billion in 2022", - said the Head of Ukrainian Government.

Denis Shmygal stressed that there is a huge potential for the expansion of Ukrainian-Austrian business and investment cooperation. In particular, he suggested the Federal Chancellor of Austria to initiate annual Ukrainian-Austrian business forum under the general auspices of the Governments of the countries. The first forum is planned to be held during an official visit of the Federal Chancellor of Austria to Ukraine.

For his part, Karl Negammer supported the idea of such event and confirmed his intentions to visit Ukraine this year.