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Medvedev, Yanukovich to discuss energy cooperation

Medvedev wouldn’t discuss Timoshenko’s case during his talks with President Yanukovich

MOSCOW, October 18 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will pay a one-day trip to Ukraine on Tuesday. He will attend an inter-regional economic forum in Donetsk, Eastern Ukraine, together with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich.

Medvedev wouldn’t discuss Timoshenko’s case during his talks with President Yanukovich.

“Timoshenko’s case is not on the agenda,” presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko told Itar-Tass.

“What has this case got to do with regional cooperation? We are going to an inter-regional economic forum. We are going to focus on a positive agenda and on problems, which our regions have. This is what this forum is going to be devoted to,” the Kremlin spokesperson explained.

Donetsk will host the second Russian-Ukrainian inter-regional economic forum, which the Russian and Ukrainian presidents are going to attend.

Prikhodko believes that the two leaders will continue energy dialogue. He also named some other topics, which Medvedev and Yanukovich are expected to discuss during their meeting: the ongoing political dialogue, support for inter-regional cooperation, the forthcoming CIS summit to be held in Moscow in December, a meeting of the inter-governmental commission of Russia and Ukraine, investment and humanitarian cooperation, interaction in hi-tech spheres.

Prikhodko said that President Medvedev would gladly share information about the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan if Viktor Yanukovich shows interest in it. The strengthening of this integration association will have an impact on bilateral relations.

“ I don’t rule out that the presidents are going to discuss how the current situation in the euro zone is affecting bilateral cooperation and cooperation inside the CIS,” Prikhodko added. He explained that the European Union accounts for a considerable part of Russian and Ukrainian trade turnover. “That is why we are not indifferent to what’s happening with out partners,” Prikhodko said.