I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha and Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitalii Koval have just reported on their talks in Syria and Lebanon with the new Syrian administration, with Lebanese business, and on our overall prospects – both security and trade – in the region. This year, we may add more countries to our reliable partners, particularly Syria. We are preparing to renew our diplomatic relations with Syria and our cooperation within international organizations.
I want to thank our intelligence for the security framework of these contacts. The visit will also lead to increased trade with Lebanon: our agricultural exports alone to that country currently total $400 million, and we are preparing to at least double that amount. The year 2025 will also bring a more active engagement with Africa, and each such new partnership means greater opportunities for our diplomacy and greater opportunities for our economy.
I have instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to prepare some of our specific agreements with African countries. Over the past year, 2024, we succeeded in boosting Ukrainian exports by 15% – which is an increase of more than $5 billion compared to the level of 2023, and this amounts to more than $41 billion in Ukrainian exports for the year. And in the conditions of full-scale war, it is quite significant. The task for the year 2025 is to continue this growth. I am grateful to all our Government officials, diplomats, Ukrainian businesses – everyone who ensures our ties with the world.
