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The President of Russia finds it is imperative to formulate clear, reasonable regulations for border crossing points. Mr Medvedev stated that relevant instructions will be given to the two nations’ corresponding agencies.

The Russian leader said that he was satisfied with the way Russian-Ukrainian relations are developing and noted that progress on a number of issues is being made faster than expected.

Dmitry Medvedev emphasised that the most important thing for the border regions is the establishment of normal cooperation involving full-fledged, full-blooded collaboration and exchanges between people.

The two presidents will continue their talks on Russian territory, in Zavidovo (Tver Region).

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Opening remarks at meeting on migration policy in Russian-Ukrainian relations

 

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: Mr President, your choice of agenda for this meeting was excellent, and I am sincerely pleased that the idea has been realised. After all, it is a symbol. The race took place 100 years ago, when it was all about technological innovation, and those marvels were shown in Russia, and our own products were shown too.

Life has changed a great deal. We are Presidents of different countries, working on the development of our states. And this symbol clearly indicates that it is possible to make a fast transition from cold and watchful confrontation to friendly strategic partnership, restoring the relations that used to exist between our two nations. To be honest, I am truly satisfied with what we have achieved recently in all respects, and progress on a number of issues is being made faster than expected. That is very good.

It is a symbol, a symbol of people’s unity and of our friendship, and it moves along the road from Russia to Ukraine…

President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych: With an optimal speed.

Dmitry Medvedev: Yes, with the optimal speed in full compliance with the law. You know, I really enjoyed watching people’s faces here in Glukhov. These are open faces of people who want to be friends, want a normal life, as you and I have said, and who want us to give them a good standard of living. They expect support in addressing a number of issues from politicians and heads of state.

The most important thing for the border regions is the establishment of normal cooperation involving a full-fledged, full-blooded collaboration and exchanges between people. It requires, as you have absolutely rightly pointed out, reasonable rules that do not hold people in check, do not turn them into regulated objects, but allow them to cross the border normally on the basis of such transparent rules.

I just spoke with some of your colleagues and with the people, and they say there is a lot of bureaucracy. That is true, there is too much bureaucracy, too many requirements for an excessive number of documents and rudeness, as you rightly said, humiliation, in fact, that occurs in different places. I will say this directly: everyone is at fault here, there is nothing more to say, I think offences are committed by both sides.