This page in bilateral relations has been turned over and can no longer bring any pressure to bear upon bilateral cooperation. This is evidence of political wisdom shown by the new government, said the MP.
He added however that Russia was concerned over the violation of political rights of the defeated side (allies of former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich who ran against Yushchenko at the recent elections) in Ukraine and over the signs of revenge being taken against it by the Ukrainian authorities.
A Russia-compiled relevant resolution has been already submitted for PACE consideration and approved by five countries. It says in part that the rights of the opposition are being infringed on in Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrghystan, following the "color" revolutions, said Kosachev.
Russia is also anxious about the intention by Ukrainian government to deprivatize the earlier-privatized companies, the more so as not all the cases are connected with the violation of Ukrainian law. "We have learnt that there are tens of thousands of such rulings on revision of privatization transactions," he added.
Besides, said Kosachev, despite quite a constructive dialogue being conducted by the Ukrainian government with big Russian business, we see that their words are not turning into acts. "Actually, we see a kind of administrative pressure on Russian business in Ukraine, said the MP. He admitted he was waiting for some breakthroughs that have not yet taken place. This concerns above all Ukraine's unclarified position toward the establishment of a common economic space with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
Russia cannot also ignore Ukraine's plans, declared by Viktor Yushchenko, to join the WTO this November.
"Ukraine's hasty admission to the WTO implies that the Ukrainian negotiators have ceded certain positions which are essential for Russian as well," said Kosachev. In the first place, it is the average-weighed rate of import duties already set with Russia at seven percent. If Ukraine winds up its talks with the import tax of two percent, Russia will appear at a loss when trading within the confines of the Customs Union.
