OREANDA-NEWS. April 14, 2010. The meeting of President Viktor Yanukovych and U.S. President Barack Obama, held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, according to the parties will work on deepening strategic dialogue between the two countries, reported the Official website president.gov.ua.

The Presidents discussed prospects of cooperation between Ukraine and the USA in various fields. In particular, Barack Obama thanked his Ukrainian counterpart for leadership in promotion of nonproliferation of nuclear materials.

Sides also discussed energy cooperation. The Presidents reaffirmed that economic reforms in Ukraine will improve business climate, increase investment and consequently provide the opportunity to overcome the recession in Ukrainian economy.

President Obama said that the best step would be conducting the most difficult of the reforms early in the process of government when the political support is still considerable.

Barack Obama assured the United States is interested in Ukraine being strong, independent and prosperous state, and willing to assist her in this. "Ukraine can count on U.S. support in performing economic reforms and restoring cooperation with the IMF", he said.

At the meeting sides also discussed prospects of boosting trade and economic relations between Ukraine and the U.S., Ukraine’s European integration, restoration of Ukrainian-Russian relations and in that context the “reset” of American-Russian relations.

Sides have also brought up the issue of building partnership relations between Ukraine and NATO.

Viktor Yanukovych noted that the new government policy of Ukraine is aimed at restoring the balance between Russia and the European Union to be a reliable bridge between Europe and Russia. At the same time, said Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine is following European integration path and is ready for integration into the European Union to the extent the EU is ready for.

The American-Ukrainian top-level meeting became a significant step in expanding and deepening bilateral strategic dialogue between the two countries.