Ukrainian PM meets with French economy minister

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko met with French Minister for Economy, Industry and Employment Christine Lagarde on Wednesday during her working visit to France, the Cabinet of Ministers' press service has said.

During the meeting, Tymoshenko noted that the more detailed program of cooperation between Ukraine and France could be elaborated after the accords with the International Monetary Fund are adjusted. Besides, they discussed cooperation in drawing investments.

Christine Lagarde, in turn, noted that 2009 would be a hard year for economies all over the world. The French economy and employment minister also predicted that the countries would start coping with the financial crisis as early as in 2010. She believes that the trust in the banking sector should be restored first and the actions of all the branches of power should be coordinated.

While commenting on the Ukrainian premier's meeting with the management of a number of the country's leading companies, Lagarde noted that most of them are involved in energy sector and have a good potential for investments.