Poroshenko arrives “not empty-handed” for Malta visit

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko spoke of Ukraine’s ambition to increase business ties with Malta while visiting the country on May 16. The President’s web site states that in a press conference with President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Poroshenko claimed that the Ukrainian delegation “didn’t come empty-handed”. A range of joint business projects were up for discussion and ranged from agriculture to logistics to aviation. Poroshenko spoke of Ukrainian agri producers using Malta as a maritime hub for products going to Africa.

James Hydzik: President Poroshenko’s visit to Malta has reasons beyond the nurturing of business ties with the island country. Malta currently hosts the EU Presidency, and Preca and Poroshenko will be travelling to Strasbourg today for the signing of Ukraine’s visa-free Schengen zone travel legislation.