Timoshenko calls to deny ratification of BSF agreement

22.04.2010 MPs from Party of Yulia Timoshenko (PYT) invoked convening of the special session of Supreme Rada [Ukrainian parliament] on Sat, Apr 24. The session's subject is going to be agreement signed by Russian and Ukrainian presidents about prolongation of Black Sea Fleet deployment in Sevastopol, Crimea. As reported by Ukrainskaya Pravda, the ex-premier Yulia Timoshenko called parliamentary opposition to consolidate and deny ratification of Russo-Ukrainian agreement.

Agreement providing prolongation of BSF presence in Crimea for the term of 25 years was signed by Dmitry Medvedev and Viktor Yanukovich on Apr 21 in Kharkov, Ukraine. The previous treaty implies the term of 20 years and expires in 2017.

New agreement allows possibility for further extension as well as increasing of lease payment for using Ukrainian lands and realty. Russian president pointed out that lease payment would be technically tied to gas price for Ukraine; discount would be proportional to lease cost increase.

According to Mrs. Timoshenko, steps taken by Yanukovich contradict national interests; in this connection a draft law repealing Medvedev-Yanukovich agreements will be introduced to Supreme Rada. Besides, the leader of PYT called Ukrainian citizens to come to parliament building on Sat and express protest against deployment of Russian fleet in Crimea.

Boris Tarasiuk, ex foreign minister supported Timoshenko, reports Korrespondent.net. As for him, behavior of Yanukovich should be interpreted as treason, since he "in cynical manner ignored Clause 17 of Ukrainian Constitution that prohibits deployment of foreign military bases".

According to UNIAN, validity term of agreements signed in Kharkov starts from 2017 which means Sevastopol naval base would be assigned to Russia till 2042. Decision made by the presidents has to be ratified by parliaments of both countries.