Ukraine intends to ratify agreement on merchant shipping with Italy
An agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the government of Italy on merchant shipping will be submitted to the Ukrainian parliament for ratification, the press service of the Infrastructure Ministry of Ukraine has reported.
The press service said that the government at a cabinet meeting on July 17, 2013 approved a relevant resolution and a draft law.
Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Kozak said that the realization of the agreement would promote the further active development of relations in the transportation sector between Ukraine and Italy, and in particular, the improvement of the conditions of sea voyages and the strengthening of partnership merchant and economic links between the two states as a whole.
"The agreement will promote improved bilateral interstate and business liaisons between Ukraine and Italy, in particular, it will improve the development of cooperation in the merchant shipping area," reads the report, citing Kozak.
According to the agreement, equal conditions of access will be created for national ships at the ports of the two countries regarding free entrance to ports and leaving them, the payment of duties and tariffs, port fees, port taxes, and the use of port equipment for loading and unloading, embarkation and debarkation of passengers, crew members, etc.
Ukraine and Italy will also take measures to prevent delays to ship schedules, and facilitate administrative, customs and other procedures at ports.