The two leaders declared their satisfaction with the signing of the documents in Kiev on February 2, 2006, on the creation of joint venture Ukrgaz-Energo and expressed the hope that this step would make it possible to concentrate efforts on continuing to develop bilateral cooperation in the gas sector.
Mr Putin and Mr Yushchenko also gave a positive evaluation to recent Russian-Ukrainian contacts at various levels. The two Presidents noted the need for both sides to take a constructive approach to the upcoming talks in mid-February as part of the work of the Russian-Ukrainian Inter-State Commission on issues regarding the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Mr Putin and Mr Yushchenko also discussed other topical bilateral cooperation issues.
The conversation took place at the Ukrainian side’s initiative.