OREANDA-NEWS. November 29, 2010. The Russian-Ukrainian Interstate Commission's latest meeting, the fourth so far and the second this year, discussed a broad range of bilateral economic, political and humanitarian relations. This was the tenth meeting between Dmitry Medvedev and Viktor Yanukovych this year.

The intensive dialogue that Russia and Ukraine are pursuing has seen the two countries expand their cooperation in practically all areas. The meeting discussed opportunities for trade and economic cooperation and investment, and also development in gas and nuclear energy, transport, and the aerospace industry. Russian-Ukrainian military and military technical cooperation also received particular attention.

Measures to simplify border crossing procedures between the two countries were the main subject on the agenda for interregional and border area cooperation at the talks.

Humanitarian ties were also discussed, in particular support for the Russian language in Ukraine, and for the Ukrainian language in the Russian Federation.
See also:
Speech at meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian Interstate Commission
November 26, 2010, 17:30  Speeches and Transcripts
News conference following meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian Interstate Commission
November 26, 2010, 18:00  Speeches and Transcripts

A separate discussion at the meeting was devoted to the proposal to build a bridge across the Kerch Strait. This project is of great interest for both countries. The Russian and Ukrainian transport ministries and Vnesheconombank signed a memorandum of understanding on organising the bridge's construction following the meeting. 

The two sides had a detailed exchange of views on the presence on Ukrainian territory of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which makes a significant contribution to regional stability and security. An intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in carrying out inspections at the sites where Russian naval units are stationed was signed following the meeting. 

Mr Medvedev and Mr Yanukovych signed the final protocol of the commission's fourth meeting and witnessed the signing of a cooperation plan between the two countries foreign ministries in 2011, a protocol on amendments to the agreement on cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in oil transportation to Ukraine and through Ukrainian territory, and an agreement between the two countries'f agriculture ministries on protection of ownership rights to plant varieties.  

The two presidents also discussed international and regional issues in the run-up to the OSCE summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.