The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government signed an air services transit agreement with Ukraine here Thursday, according to a government press release.

Secretary for Economic Services Sandra Lee said at the signing ceremony that the agreement with Ukraine marks a new chapter in the development of the aviation relations between Hong Kong and Ukraine.

"I hope these bilateral relations will develop in time for the further growth of other economic ties between the two places," she said.

She also said the HKSAR government would continue to expand Hong Kong's air services network to further develop Hong Kong into the preferred transportation and logistics hub.

An air services transit agreement facilitates the development of international air services by providing a legal framework to enable the airlines of both sides to use the most direct and cost-effectiveflight paths over the area of the other side in operating international services.

Hong Kong has signed five air services transit agreements so far.

( Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2002)