The agenda concerned topical bilateral issues-in particular, Ukraine resuming construction of a deep water route from the Danube to the Black Sea, continental shelf delimitation, and either country's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, reports the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry press service.
As Mr. Grischenko emphasised, Ukraine had offered to Romania exclusive information about land reclamation on the Danube estuary construction sites. Ukraine is making it a point as before to offer the utmost openness to the world, European Union countries being no exception. Ukraine is willing to face an all-round canal expertise, possibly on a multilateral basis, and to have the issue offered for consultations in Geneva.
"At the same time, we cannot put up with Romania using such debates for competition to monopolise the Danubian trade water route. Whatever land reclamation was done proceeded from the need to preserve as much as possible the unique ecological system of the Danube estuary. Ukraine is interested in it more than any other country," said the Foreign Minister.
He thinks Romania was too quick as it determined to offer to the United Nations International Court Black Sea continental shelf and exclusive economic zone delimitation.
He called Mr. Geoana to go on with bilateral debates at the nearest, 25th round of Ukrainian-Romanian negotiations, which Ukraine is willing to host. "Bilateral talks have not by far exhausted their opportunities. Ukraine is sure on that point. In fact, a mere five out of the total 24 rounds concerned maritime frontier and shelf delimitation."
Mr.Grischenko warned his counterpart about Romanian official spokesmen's latest statements concerning Ukraine. Their tone and content were inadmissible, he pointed out. More than that, Romanian-based media outlets are making a big anti-Ukrainian campaign. Such conduct runs counter to the goodneighbourly principles to which Ukraine, on its part, is sticking.
Ukraine opened a navigation canal from the Danube to the Black Sea in the Bystroye estuary, August 26. Its construction had arisen bitter Romanian protest as it was allegedly damaging the environment. Romania intends to sue Ukraine in the International Court in The Hague.
