Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov
Photo: Reuters
| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Foreign Ministry Warned About Aftereffects of Black Sea Fleet Decree of Yushchenko
The decree of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko about the withdrawal of the RF Black Sea Fleet from Ukraine “won’t improve atmosphere of trust” between the nations and may impair the progress in negotiations on the issue, Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned.
Discussing the dates of the Black Sea Fleet’s stationing is premature yet, the Information Department of the RF Foreign Ministry commented Wednesday, specifying that the topic would be the subject of Russia’s-Ukrainian negotiations some time later.
“Nowadays, it is necessary to focus on tackling practical issues related to ensuring conditions for full-fledged operation of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation and its stationing in Ukrainian territory,” the statement said.
The decree of Yushchenko appears even more surprising as the parties have agreed on “quite the opposite,” to be more precise on the negotiations related to the Black Sea Fleet operation in Ukraine under the Russia's-Ukrainian Action Plan till 2009, the Foreign Ministry pointed out.
Three agreements were sealed May 28, 1997, the RF Foreign Ministry reminded, - on the status and terms of the RF Black Sea Fleet’s stationing in Ukraine, on division of the Black Sea Fleet and on the mutual settlement related to that division and stationing of the Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine. The first two agreements were concluded for 20 years and will be prolonged for another 5 years should none of the parties notify about their expiration.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko committed the cabinet Wednesday to elaborate by July 20 a bill on the RF Black Sea Fleet's stationing in Ukraine.
www.kommersant.com
|
|
|
