Leonid Kuchma said at a press conference that on Friday, "the most significant event in the modern history of Russo-Ukrainian relations happened - the exchange of ratification instruments on the bilateral treaties of paramount importance, whose signing made us closer to the resolution of the issue of the state border." In the words of the Ukrainian president, "simultaneous ratification of the treaties by the two countries' parliaments became an indicator of the wish to develop the Russo-Ukrainian dialogue constructively." Vladimir Putin, on his part, thanked the parliaments of the two countries that have done "great, concerted work." He noted that these agreements will strengthen the foundation of Russo-Ukrainian strategic partnership. "Our specialists and governments found balanced and mutually advantageous solutions on the Azov-Kerch region," said the president.
He emphasized that this solution will make it possible to develop cooperation on such directions as navigation, navigation safety provision, fishing and environment protection. Besides, the Russian president stressed the importance of the treaty on the state border.
"Russia deliberately makes this step (signing of the treaty on state border), and does it to remove all that hinders the development of relations." "It is done not to disunite our countries but to unite them in the sense of creating conditions for development of the two countries' economies and cultural-humanitarian ties," Vladimir Putin said.
