Ukraine and Kazakhstan have to work to increase bilateral trade and develop the economies of the two countries, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said.

"I would like our joint efforts to be aimed at improving trade and economic relations between our countries. I think that we will find opportunities to contribute to the development of our economies, and this path is the only one required for the development of our countries," the presidential press service quoted Yanukovych as saying at a meeting with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Serik Akhmetov in Kyiv on Friday.

He said that in recent years there has been improvement in the trade between the two countries. In particular, last year's trade grew by almost 12%. This year, trade started declining, Yanukovych said. He also invited the Kazakh side to work together to resolve this problem.

Yanukovych also praised the signing of the Ukrainian-Kazakh joint action plan for 2013-2014 (roadmap), which he said would help improve the situation.

Akhmetov, in turn, expressed confidence that the potential in bilateral relations was large and that there were many areas in which the states could develop their cooperation.

He noted that negotiations were under way on the development of air services between Ukraine and Kazakhstan and the launch of regular direct flights, as well as on the prospects for the creation of joint ventures.