According to Mr Savolsky, significant differences remain over the Kerch Strait. Ukraine insists that the Strait should be partitioned with an administrative border while Russia argues there are reasons why the Soviet-era border should remain in place. At this point, the sides have decided they will take time to analyze all relevant documents and adjust their positions accordingly.
As for the demarcation of the Black Sea, the international maritime law has been applied here, the Russian ambassador reported. "The experts have been instructed to agree the blueprints within three weeks' time," he said.
Mr Savolsky also said that during the latest round of negotiations, the experts had been given information concerning the signing of treaties on the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, notably accords on cooperation in ship navigation and fishing. "We agreed to speed up the preparation of such documents, as they will be related to the basic demarcation treaty," the diplomat added. According to him, the next round of talks on the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait is to be held in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, in early September or earlier.
Anton Buteiko, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, said, for his part, that he was hopeful Russia and Ukraine would eventually be able to reach a consensus on all contentious issues.
