SIMFEROPOL, March 14. /TASS/. Crimean authorities intend to conclude new cooperation agreements with the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics after Russia recognized their status, Deputy Prime Minister of Crimea, Permanent Representative of the Republic to the President, Georgy Muradov told TASS in an interview.
"As for the economic cooperation, we have signed a protocol with the Donetsk People's Republic, and we have been instructed by Head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov to conclude the agreements. We already have a protocol that was signed earlier with the then unrecognized DPR on cooperation in foreign economic affairs. We interacted together in the Syrian domain, went to exhibitions, created a foundation for the development of mutual trade. And now we are actively working on concluding agreements on trade, economic, scientific, technical and humanitarian cooperation with the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics," Muradov said.
The permanent representative noted that Crimea had maintained close cooperation with these regions for many years and intends to actively cultivate it under the new conditions.
On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the sovereignty of the DPR and LPR. Subsequent agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance were signed with their leaders.