Presidents of Ukraine, Russia chair III meeting of Ukrainian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission

Opening the meeting, President Yanukovych praised current intensification of Ukrainian-Russian high-level contacts and their absolute focus on results. He expressed his belief that most citizens of Ukraine and Russia are positive about strengthening of friendly relations between our countries.

"We are confident that together we can ensure good conditions for new economic growth," he said, adding that sides are also looking for effective ways of interaction between our countries in overcoming the consequences of the global economic recession.

Apparently, said President Yanukovych, there are many unresolved issues in the Ukrainian-Russian relations - both old and new, that are currently brought up by the two states’ governments, representatives of business, etc.. "Of course, creating the conditions and stimulus, including at the legislative level, corresponds with the mood, and national interests of our countries," he said.

"Everything that we do is aimed primarily at strengthening national economies and the welfare of our people," said Viktor Yanukovych. Today, he noted, Ukraine needs innovative solutions in improving social standards and above all, in modernization of the economy.

"In this difficult time we start the reforms and in June will announce their plan. We will go this way and believe that our strategic partner in this is Russia," President Yanukovych said.

The President expressed confidence that today's actions to strengthen Ukrainian-Russian relations are aimed at perspective and protection of interests of future generations. "We understand well that there is no such thing as the end of reforms – there is just their continuation. But on the dynamics set today, on coordination of our actions depends very much," he said.

The President stressed that the third meeting of the Ukrainian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission actually is aimed at restoring its activity after a long and unjustified break. He thanked the Secretaries of the Commission, the Governments of Ukraine and Russia for quick preparation of today's meeting. "The Ukrainian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission was established to be the instrument of bilateral cooperation," Viktor Yanukovych said, reminding that during last two months the commission has successfully dealt with such issues as economic and foreign policy, military-technical and humanitarian cooperation, international and regional ties.

"Today we approach signature of several important agreements, of which the most important is the agreement on demarcation of the Ukrainian-Russian border. I congratulate all of us on this landmark event," said Viktor Yanukovych. He expressed hope that soon the two states will approach specific decision-making in the issue of delimitation of sea border between Ukraine and Russia, as the two foreign ministries are working in this direction.

President Yanukovych also praised the willingness of both sides to sign other important bilateral documents today. These are the agreement on cooperation in utilization of the Russian global navigation satellite system GLONASS, the agreement on development of scientific and educational cooperation for 2010 - 2012, the program of cooperation between the Ministries of Culture for 2010 - 2014, the agreement on cooperation between Ukreximbank and "VTB Bank".

"I think the opportunity to discuss preparation of a long-term program of social-economic and humanitarian cooperation for 10 years is important," said Viktor Yanukovych. According to him, such a program could identify specific procedures for realization of 1997 Cooperation Agreement provisions.

Speaking of international security, the President noted that Ukraine finally has all the possibilities to realize its foreign policy goal - to become a non-aligned country, as it was proclaimed in the Declaration of State Sovereignty.

"And cooperation with Russia at the international scene, in Europe and regional dimension is very important for us," said Viktor Yanukovych. He reminded that sides are to sign today joint statements on European security, Black Sea region security and settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.

"I am convinced that new approaches to collective security should be based on a combination of interests of member states, non-aligned countries and countries with a neutral status," he said.

"Today's meeting should develop a clear plan of action for our common future," summed up the President of Ukraine.

From his part, President Medvedev also praised the current intensification of Ukrainian-Russian relations. "We open the new page here. Last time we managed to do something to restore full-blooded relations between our peoples and countries," said Dmitry Medvedev.

Among the evidences of such positive shift he named notable growth of trade turnover between our countries and the number of contacts at different levels. "I hope that eventually all this synergy will help us in developing our economies," said the President of Russia.

Dmitry Medvedev expressed hope that our countries will continue to work on development of our constructive relations. In this context, he stressed: the Ukrainian-Russian Interstate Commission is certainly a very important tool - capable and strong, but political will of both parties is crucial for its effective work.

According to the President of Russia, the highest priority of the Commission is "comprehensive development of relations between our countries." "The priorities should correspond with solving our current economic problems, which Russia and Ukraine have two. These are overcoming consequences of the global financial crisis and modernization of national economies," said President Medvedev.

"I am certain: we can build long-term strategic cooperation upon a mutually beneficial pragmatic basis. We must deal with all areas, and the work is already going on. These are transport cooperation, aviation industry, space exploration, military-technical cooperation, etc.," said the Russian President.

"Our approaches to building united Europe are very close today. We are interested in citizens of different countries of our continent being provided with modern, decent, safe living conditions," said Dmitry Medvedev.