The Ukrainian side is sure that the settlement of these issues will create pre-requisites for the most effective implementation of bilateral strategic partnership. Moreover, this will facilitate expanded trade and economic cooperation, enabling Ukraine to realize its transit potential and boosting the development of both countries' oil-and-gas transport systems. And, finally, this will enable Ukraine and Russia to make an even greater contribution to European energy security, the commentary runs.
The signing of treaties on Ukrainian-Russian state borders in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch strait will become a decisive move toward finalizing the legal formalization of the international border, the commentary stresses.
According to this document, the solution of these problems will become a weighty contribution to enhancing the security of our two countries and their territorial integrity. This will also facilitate expanded cooperation in such regional spheres as fishing, navigation and environmental protection.
Moreover, the Ukrainian side hopes to focus on consular-legal and humanitarian cooperation over the 2005 period and to sign agreements in these fields.
Progress in this direction will promote more active contacts between our countries' citizens and the development of trans-border cooperation. Border-crossing procedures will be simplified, as well. It will also become easier to thwart illegal migration and contraband, the commentary notes.
According to the document, the Ukrainian side's proposals will be discussed by Viktor Yushchenko and Vladimir Putin during their talks.
The sides are also expected to outline top-priority tasks for the 2005 period, after closely examining both countries' proposals, the commentary says in conclusion.
