FOR THE RECORD: Statement on Ukrainian-Russian treaty (01/10/99)

FOR THE RECORD: Statement on Ukrainian-Russian treaty

Following is the full text of a statement released on December 28 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding the Ukrainian-Russian Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership.

On December 25, 1998, the State Duma of the Russian Federation's Parliament ratified the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and Russia.

The long-awaited ratification of the treaty - the bedrock of the legal basis of relations between the two sovereign states - will raise relationships between Ukraine and the Russian Federation to a qualitative new level and open up new opportunities for further comprehensive development of Ukrainian-Russian relations. The leaders and peoples of the two fraternal nations are striving for exactly that.

Ratification of the treaty by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on January 14, and its ratification by the Russian State Duma confirmed that both Ukraine and the Russian Federation legally recognize the inviolability of the existing borders between them, as well as their sovereignty and territorial integrity. They have also pledged to develop further relations on the basis of universally recognized standards of international law.

Ratification of the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation constitutes a landmark historic event - not only in their bilateral relations, but also in the broader context of European and global security. It testifies to the fact that both Ukraine and Russia are well aware of their roles and responsibilities in building up a new European security structure and maintaining stability and security, not only in Europe, but in the world as a whole.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses its satisfaction with the ratification by the State Duma of the major political treaty between the two states, as well as its confidence that, as the treaty enters into force, it will provide for further development of equal Ukrainian-Russian cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of both states.

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