RUSSIA, UKRAINE SPECIFY TERMS OF RUSSIAN NAVY PRESENCE IN THE CRIMEA
RIA Novosti
MOSCOW, April 26 (RIA Novosti) - The defense ministries of Russia and Ukraine plan to continue specifying agreements on the Black Sea navy's presence in the Crimea, said Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov.
"Sharing the thesis that the Russian Black Sea fleet will keep its bases on the Crimean coast until 2017, we have agreed on further efforts to specify the basic agreements of 1977," Ivanov said following talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Anatoly Gritsenko.
Asked by reporters to comment on Ukraine's allegations about cases of infringement on bilateral agreements, Ivanov noted that one could speak about violations only when there are rules defining an order of action on both sides.
"There is the basic agreement of 1997 but there are many disputable points as well and the latter have been left without any solution," said Ivanov.
Among other things, solution is awaiting matters concerning access of inspectors to definite facilities.
The minister also mentioned certain economic benefits being derived by Ukraine from the Russian fleet's presence in the Crimea. "The Sevastopol budget is funded by 60 percent in rubles," said Ivanov.
Ukraine is also badly in need of Russian assistance in the utilization of ammunition, he added.
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