Ukraine is open to BSF renovation, although does not cancel Yushchenko's decrees

20.08.2010 During yesterday's press conference spokesman of Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleg Voloshin did not answer clearly the question whether official Kiev is ready to cancel decrees limiting Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea which were issued by Yushchenko's administration after Russian-Georgia conflict.

"Ukraine should be a fair landlord, just like Russia should be a fair leaser. If you lease out a house, you must be sure it has electricity, water, and the roof is not leaking. And vice versa… The main thing is that nobody is about to press Black Sea Fleet out of Crimea. Especially as we willingly signed the agreement and prolonged its deployment", said the politician.

"We won't do it by strange methods like Yushchenko did. For instance, hinder garbage disposal, give no way for sailors to go ashore, impede exercises, and continuously cavil about minor things. Nonetheless, we have our legislation and will react severely whenever it is violated ", emphasized Voloshin.

According to him, current talks within the framework of intergovernmental commission are "constructive, in contrast to those one year ago".

"We don't see a threat from Black Sea Fleet and will not hinder its modernization. We understand Russia's desire to make the fleet combat capable", he said.

However, the issue of hydrographic facilities' use remains sensitive, added the spokesman of Ukrainian MFA.

Voloshin informed that the next round of negotiations on BSF would be held on Aug 25 in Kiev at the level of deputy ministers of foreign affairs.