Tkachenko expresses interest in CIS parliament (10/04/98)

Tkachenko expresses interest in CIS parliament

Eastern Economist

KYIV - An official delegation from the Russian Duma headed by Chairman Gennadii Selezniov arrived in Ukraine on September 28. Verkhovna Rada Chairman Oleksander Tkachenko said the countries' ability to end the current economic crisis depends on the extent of the "countries' integration with each other."

Mr. Selezniov stressed during the meeting with his counterpart that, although the Ukrainian and Russian production systems are very closely connected, trade turnover between the two countries continues to shrink.

Mr. Tkachenko said he could see no "objective reasons" for diminishing trade between the two countries, contending that ratification of the pending large-scale Ukrainian-Russian agreement would resolve many economic problems in both countries. Mr. Tkachenko, who appealed to Mr. Selezniov to help accelerate the approval process, also said that Ukraine's entry into the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly would help both countries' economies.

Mr. Selezniov told Mr. Tkachenko that Russia is interested in Ukraine joining its union with Belarus. Green faction head Vitalii Kononov, who took part in the meeting, said that while Russia would support Ukraine's attempts to join the union, Mr. Selezniov is less enthusiastic about Ukraine joining the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

After the meeting, National Democratic Party leader Oleksander Yemets said he has concluded that "ratification of the large-scale agreement between Ukraine and Russia is impossible in the near future." Mr. Yemets said the Russian Duma will discuss this treaty in tandem with a package of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) agreements under review and this will delay its ratification.

Mr. Selezniov said after his meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Borys Tarasyuk that the Duma will approve the agreement this year only if certain conditions are met. He confirmed that it will be considered in a package with the BSF agreements and that its ratification depends on the Russian Black Sea Fleet remaining on Ukrainian territory.

Mr. Selezniov added that Ukraine's close relations with NATO are an obstacle to ratifying the document or engaging in any sort of meaningful strategic partnership.

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