Russia, Ukraine pledge simultaneous ratification of CIS free trade zone agreement - Naryshkin
KYIV. Feb 20 (Interfax) - The Russian State Duma and the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada will simultaneously ratify the CIS free trade zone agreement.
"We have agreed to the synchronous consideration of this important document, which will significantly facilitate trade operations between economic agents in our states," State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin told a Monday press conference in Kyiv.
He also said he had agreed with Verkhovna Rada Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn to the ratification of the agreement on border crossing by residents of border territories in Russia and Ukraine.
There is no need to ratify that agreement in Russia, while the Verkhovna Rada will have a ballot on February 22, Naryshkin said.
He said they discussed the opening of information and cultural centers "to broaden bilateral humanitarian cooperation."
Naryshkin noted they did not discuss gas negotiations.
"I do not rule out that the issue may be raised at the meeting with Viktor Fyodorovych Yanukovych and Mykola Yanovych Azarov," he said.
CIS leaders signed the free trade zone agreement in St. Petersburg on October 18, 2011. CIS prime ministers reached that agreement earlier in the day.