Ukrainian, Russian foreign ministers discuss prospects of holding Ukraine-Russia-EU consultations
MOSCOW/KYIV. Dec 5 (Interfax) - Ukrainian and Russian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara and Sergei Lavrov have discussed pressing issues on the bilateral political agenda and exchanged opinions on the development of the Ukrainian-Russia relations during a meeting in Kyiv.
The two ministers have met in the framework of a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Council of Ministers, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry press office said in a statement.
"Special attention has been paid to the cooperation of the two countries in the international organizations, in particular in the context of the Ukrainian chairmanship in the OSCE. Lavrov noted positive results of Ukraine chairing the OSCE and expressed the readiness of Russia to assist in the implementation of Ukrainian chairmanship priority issues in the future," the document said.
Kozhara and Lavrov have also discussed the cooperation in the trade and economic sector and the prospects of holding Ukraine-Russia-EU consultations, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
The Ukrainian foreign minister raised the issue to Ukrainian citizens, to whom entry to Russia was banned, and said he hoped the situation will be resolved as soon as possible, the statement said.
The ministers have discussed practical issues of foreign policy cooperation, including the diplomatic support of measures taken by the Ukrainian and Russian governments in order to resolve the issues of enhancing trade and economic cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its website.
"Lavrov has given a high assessment of the Ukrainian chairmanship in the OSCE and the meaningful preparations for the OSCE Ministerial Council in Kyiv. It has been agreed to continue cooperation to renew the OSCE in the interests of all participants and to enhance its principles of equality, respect for state sovereignty and security," the document said.
The commitment of Russia and Ukraine, as countries-mediators and guarantors of agreements reached by the parties of the Transdniestria conflict, for joint progress in the conflict settlement in the 5+2 format has been confirmed, the statement said.
The ministers have also considered the schedule of coming political contacts between Russia and Ukraine, including at a high level, and the activities of the subcommittee for international cooperation of the Russian-Ukrainian interstate committee.
