The use of the hryvnia in trade deals between Ukraine and Belarus will be extended, as requested by Belarus.

The agreement was registered in the protocol on the results of the 23rd sitting of the intergovernmental combined Ukrainian-Belarusian group on trade and economic cooperation, the press service of the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine reported on Saturday.

"According to the results of the sitting we addressed the National Bank of Ukraine with several suggestions, which can simplify and revive trade between two countries and we already came to the positive decision. Ukraine and Belarus will use the hryvnia instead of foreign currencies, in particular, dollars, for bilateral payments," Deputy Prime Minister, representative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Hennadiy Zubko, who represented Ukraine at the meeting, said afterwards.

Ukraine and Belarus agreed to review restoring energy supplies between two countries and issues regarding the transit of Ukrainian energy through Belarusian territory. Consultations on the issues will take place soon.

"Belarus is our strategic trade partner with a large common border line. Due to that, all the agreements we reach today will have positive effect for the next decades," Zubko said.