Kuchma-Gore economic committee meets

Eastern Economist

KYIV - Another round of the semi-annual Sustainable Economic Cooperation Committee that functions under the aegis of the Kuchma-Gore Commission went ahead in Kyiv on April 14-16.

Talks between the U.S. delegation and top Ukrainian officials, such as First Vice Prime Minister Volodymyr Kuratchenko, National Bank of Ukraine Chairman Viktor Yuschenko and Finance Minister Ihor Mitiukov, focused on energy sector reforms and future cooperation with international financial organizations.

Mr. Mitiukov spoke about Ukraine's prospects next year. "In 2000, servicing the state debt will cost 12 billion hrv," he said. Accordingly, the main chunk will go to servicing the foreign debt of $2.3 billion (U.S.). Therefore, said Mr. Mitiukov, it is important to continue working with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. "Ukraine will even have to ask the IMF to increase its financing," he concluded.

Other topics on the commission's agenda included land reform, farm sector restructuring, closing the Chornobyl atomic energy station by 2000, and funds for the Chornobyl shelter and nuclear safety.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, April 25, 1999, No. 17, Vol. LXVII

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