Kyiv: Ukraine will notify Russia of the Friendship Treaty termination
On Friday, September 21, Ukraine will notify Russia as well as international organizations about the termination of the friendship treaty, cooperation and partnership with Russia, said theMinister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin, reports Interfax-Ukraine.
"This week we will send a formal note, our message of non-renewal (of Friendship and Cooperation Treaty), to Russia. I think that we will send it on Friday, “said the minister.
Klimkin clarified that deputies could vote for the draft law on non-renewal of the Treaty only after Russia is formally informed.
"This is a formality. This law consists of half a page, but it is important to carry out all legal procedures, "he added.
Earlier, President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree that enacts the NSDC (National Security and Defense Council) decision to end the Friendship Treaty between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukraine and Russia signed the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty on May 31, 1997, for a period of 10 years. The Treaty came into force on April 1, 1999.
The validity of the document automatically extends for the next 10 years, if neither side declares its desire to terminate it at least six months before the expiry of the next ten-year period.
The agreement strengthened the principle of strategic partnership, recognition of the inviolability of existing borders, respect for territorial integrity and mutual obligation not to use its territory to the detriment of the security of the other party between Ukraine and Russia.