You're reading: Medvedev says Russia prepared to work in BSEC during Ukraine’s presidency

Ukraine’s accusations that Russia is blocking the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization’s (BSEC) activity is nothing but “a wish to show up,” and such statements would have no consequences for Moscow, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.

Russia will continue to work in the BSEC during the period of Ukraine’s presidency in this organization, which will begin in the near future, Medvedev said.

“Our Ukrainian colleague’s speech [at the summit] is what is called a wish to show up. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has given him its directives and he has read them on paper in the Ukrainian language. It is fine, he has performed his duty,” Medvedev said at a press conference in Istanbul.

“Our position does not change because of it at all […].This sort of statements will entail no consequences for our country,” he said.

“As to external aftereffects, Ukraine will certainly hold presidency [in the BSEC]. If it wants to develop economic relations, we are ready for this,” Medvedev said.

“Ukraine has lost more than all others from ruining ties with the Russian Federation,” he said.

“If they want to develop cooperation in the Black Sea region, we are ready, it is their matter, if they do not want it,” the Russian prime minister said.

“We will be also working during Ukraine’s chairmanship [in the BSEC] and in other periods of time, we view this organization’s activity useful,” he also said.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Development and Trade Minister Stepan Kubiv said earlier on May 22 that the BSEC had been experiencing a crisis and blamed Russia for the fact that a number of projects within the framework of the BSEC was impossible to implement.

Ukraine will be next to hold the BSEC presidency.