Kerch Problem, Black, Azov Seas Delimitation: Russian Federation, Ukraine Negotiation Groups Meet in 21st Session

Unofficial translation from Russian

PRESS RELEASE

On June 16 the twenty-first session of the Russian and Ukrainian negotiation groups on the delimitation of the Black and Azov Seas and also on the Kerch problem took place in Moscow.

Foreign Ministry Special Envoy for Relations with the CIS Countries and Ambassador at Large Igor Savolsky headed the Russian delegation at the talks, and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anton Buteyko the Ukrainian.

The sides discussed adjusting the Russia-Ukraine state border line in the Sea of Azov, set forth their positions how to resolve the Kerch Strait problem, and agreed to prepare the text of a draft treaty delimiting the territorial seas, continental shelf and exclusive economic zones in the Black Sea, which will be done on the basis of international maritime law. In addition, the delegations reviewed the progress in preparing bilateral documents on cooperation in navigation and fishing in the Black and Azov Seas and the Kerch Strait.

They agreed in the first ten-day period of July to hold a meeting of experts on these problems, and not later than the first ten-day period of September - the next session of the negotiation groups.

June 17, 2005