Medvedev, Yanukovych to discuss implementation of bilateral economic agreements

Moscow, August 10 (Interfax) - The implementation of Russian-Ukrainian bilateral agreements, particularly in the energy sector, and the legal aspects of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's presence in Crimea will be on the agenda of negotiations between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in Sochi on Thursday. "The presidents of Russia and Ukraine are expected to discuss the implementation of the existing agreements on promoting major projects in various areas of interaction, such as the energy sector, including the atomic industry, trade, space exploration, aviation, shipbuilding, transportation, agriculture and military-technological cooperation," a Kremlin source said.

The two leaders are expected to attach priority to prospects for expanding trade and economic ties. The Kremlin pointed out that trade between the two countries grew by more than 50% in the first half of 2011 and could reach $50 billion by the end of the year.

"The creation of a favorable environment for the two countries' business organizations and the resolution of problems of investment cooperation could be an important subject of the talks," he added.

Medvedev and Yanukovych should also consider various aspects of bilateral cooperation in the culture and humanities fields, he said.

The presidents also plan to discuss a broad spectrum of the most relevant issues on the bilateral and regional agenda, including integration processes in the CIS area with Russia's and Ukraine's involvement. In particular, they should touch upon the Belarusian-Kazakh-Russian Customs Union and the Common Economic Area.

The two should also consider preparations for the second Russian-Ukrainian interregional economic forum and plans for creating more comfortable conditions for individuals crossing the common border.

The Kremlin expects the Sochi summit to become "an important stage in preparations for the next meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission," the source said.