Ukraine and Italy have agreed on cooperation in various sectors of economy, in particular in the energy sector, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said during his visit to Italy after a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

"The Eni company has declared its willingness to increase its investment in Ukraine," the president told the media in Rome on Thursday.

The sides also agreed to cooperate in the agricultural sector, including in agricultural engineering, and on investments in technologies, food industry, as well as in the development of small and medium businesses in Ukraine, Poroshenko's official website reported.

As reported, Eni in 2012 bought 50.01% in Zakhidgazinvest (Ivano-Frankivsk region). LLC Zakhidgazinvest currently holds subsoil rights to nine unconventional (shale) gas license areas in Ukraine, totaling approximately 3,800 square kilometers.

Also, in 2013, Ukraine signed a production-sharing agreement (PSA) with Eni and Electricite de France on development of the Subbotina, Abikha, Mayachna and Kavkazka hydrocarbon blocks on the Black Sea shelf.