As he addressed the ceremony, Mr Putin said that the Year of Ukraine in Russia had promoted bilateral cooperation in all fields and helped to develop plans for the future. Coordinated Russian-Ukrainian action on the international arena promised to strengthen both countries’ positions in Europe and elsewhere, he said.
A decision was made to hold a Year of Russia in Ukraine in 2003.
Presidents Putin and Kuchma met in the Kremlin earlier on the day. Mr Putin congratulated Viktor Yanukovych, who was taking part in the talks, on his appointment as Prime Minister. He expressed his hope that the Ukrainian Government, led by Mr Yanukovych and supported by Mr Kuchma, would strengthen the basis recently laid for bilateral relations.