BEIRUT: The Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov met Thursday with Lebanon’s top officials in a bid to strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Azarov met with President Michel Sleiman on the second day of his official visit to Lebanon, and discussed bilateral relations and the necessity of reinforcing and reviving economic cooperation through encouraging investments.

According to a statement released by Sleiman’s press office, Azarov said Lebanon's relative stability in the region encouraged Ukraine to strengthen its economic cooperation with the country.

Sleiman, in return, thanked Ukraine for its participation in the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon, which monitors Lebanon’s border with Israel

Azarov also met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail and with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh.

“We had good relations this year between our peoples and governments. And the volume of trade between the countries has exceeded $1 billion in the first nine months of this year,” Azarov told reporters after meeting with Berri

Azarov also said that he met with Lebanese businessmen Wednesday night, along with representatives of the government. He said the meetings touched upon issues concerning businesses including adoption of a no-visa policy between the two countries and the establishment of a free trade zone.

He added that 2012 marks 20 years of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Lebanon.

Following his meeting with Lebanon’s prime minister, Mikati said Lebanon cannot be isolated from the international community and it was active and interactive with the international and Arab community.

“We have gone through difficult times and we have proven we are keen on stability and this is the government’s goal and we will follow up on all issues and God willing, Lebanon will not be affected by regional events.