MOSCOW, October 10 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Ukraine's financial watchdogs have decided to simultaneously audit Russian natural gas transits via Ukraine. The Russian Audit Chamber said Monday that the agreement had been reached at a meeting between its head, Sergei Stepashin, and chairman of the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine, Valentyn Symonenko.
They also discussed a parallel audit of settlements related to the Russian Navy's stationing at Ukraine's Black Sea base.
"The parties believe this would help ease the two countries' tensions in the sphere," the chamber said in a statement.
Russia's Audit Chamber also backed Ukraine's initiative to establish a subgroup within the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) to monitor the use of funds allocated by national governments for dealing with natural disasters and other catastrophes.