Lavrov wants speedier talks with Ukraine on Black Sea Fleet
KYIV. Oct 19 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has spoken for speedier negotiations with Ukraine on the improvement of the legal framework on the presence of the Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine.
"Progress has been made on the Black Sea Fleet, but I would like the negotiation process to become speedier," Lavrov said after meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Konstantin Hryshchenko in Kyiv on Friday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier reported that the meeting between Lavrov and Hryshchenko in Kyiv would focus on the issues relating to the presence of the Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine, Transdniestrian issues, and the upcoming visit by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to Russia.
"The main purpose of the visit is to prepare for the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who will pay a working visit to Russia on October 22," Russian Foreign Ministry official spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said earlier.
The negotiations will address issues relating to the legal framework of the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine.