OREANDA-NEWS. October 16, 2009. Odessa Commercial Seaport and Belgian port of Antwerp signed a Memorandum on co-operation. The document was signed within the visit of Victor Yushchenko, the President of the Ukraine, to the Kingdom of Belgium, informed official site of the President of the Ukraine.

Victor Yushchenko named the document signing its confirmation of positive history of economic relations of the countries. He reminded, Franz de Volant, military engineer, that was the first to start construction of the city and the port of Odessa originated from Antwerp.

Victor Yushchenko also highlighted there is a good example of positive co-operation – study placement of Ukrainian specialists in the port of Antwerp - to the date. ‘We have a good history of relationships and I am sure we will have a better co-operation in future,’ said the President.

As a confirmation of economic relationship development between the Ukraine and Belgium Yushchenko mentioned that the cargo turnover of the both countries amounted to USD 1.5 billion, 2008.

The port of Antwerp is the second largest European port. It is located on the Schelde river, 90 km away from the seashore. Cargo turnover of the port amounted to 190 million tons in 2008 (+4% to 2007 figures), container turnover – 8.6 million TEU (+6% to 2007 figures).

Odessa Commercial Seaport is a large commercial seaport of international importance, on the north-western shore of the Black Sea, in the south-western part of OdessaBay. It has one of the Europe largest passenger terminals. It is acknowledged to be the main cruise port of the Ukraine. Located