Russian Foreign Minister to discuss strategic partnership with Ukraine

Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov who is to visit Kiev over May 19-20 will deal there with Russian-Ukrainian strategic partnership, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko told RIA Novosti.

The theme will be central to the agenda of the first joint session of the board of the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministries, he added.

"The principle of strategic partnership laid down in the fundamental bilateral document-the Treaty on friendship, co-operation and partnership-should be now detailed, specified and formulated in a relevant document," said Yakovenko.

He reported that the session would indicate the necessity of better co-ordinated Russian and Ukrainian approaches to key world issues, including strategic stability and security, enhancement of the UN's role as a central co-ordinator in the system of international relations and more concerted efforts in establishing a global system of resisting new threats and challenges.

Under review in Kiev will be alignment of the two countries' positions within the orbit of the CIS, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the European Union and the World Trade Organisation. Opinions will be exchanged on progress in forming a uniform economic environment for the Four-Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Igor Ivanov also plans to discuss with the Ukrainian leaders a wide range of bilateral and international issues.