The Russian and Ukrainian Presidents, Dmitry Medvedev and Viktor Yanukovych took part in a meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission.

Top of the agenda at the meeting was economic cooperation. The two presidents examined cooperation opportunities in the energy sector, including nuclear energy, and also in transport, machine-building, interregional integration, and peaceful use of outer space. Implementation of joint programmes in the aircraft-manufacturing sector was also discussed.

Dmitry Medvedev proposed that cooperation start from two basic departure points: overcoming the effects of the global financial crisis and economic modernisation. The two sides agreed to draft a long-term cooperation programme for the coming decade.

Mr Medvedev and Mr Yanukovych exchanged views on current international issues, above all questions regarding European security, ensuring regional stability, and countering new threats and challenges. Many of the issues discussed were reflected in the documents signed following the meeting.

In particular, the two presidents adopted joint declarations on European security, settlement of the Trans-Dniester conflict, and security in the Black Sea region, and also approved the final minutes of the Russian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission’s third meeting.

The two leaders oversaw the signing of a package of bilateral agreements that includes an agreement on demarcating the Russian-Ukrainian border, and an agreement on cooperation in using and developing the GLONASS satellite navigation system.

Earlier in the day, the two presidents laid wreaths at the Eternal Flame in the Park of Glory, and also honoured the memory of victims of the famine in Ukraine, placing candles at the foot on the monument to the victims of this tragedy.

Direct link to the press release