Shuvalov to prepare meeting of Russian-Ukrainian commission meeting

KIEV, March 3 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, who is currently on a visit in Kiev, will discuss the
preparation of the eighth meeting of the inter-governmental economic
committee of the Russian-Ukrainian interstate commission.
The sides will discuss the implementation of nig investment projects, including the construction of nuclear power units and a nuclear fuel plant in Ukraine, a bridge across the Kerch Strait, joint development of gas fields, as well as aircraft- and ship-building programmes.
Shuvalov is scheduled to meet with Vice Prime Minister Andrei Klyuyev and presidential chief of staff Sergei Levochkin on Thursday, March 3.
Ukraine and Russia are preparing a series of events in April 2011 to mark the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's space flight. This issue may also be included in the agenda of the talks.
Joint events marking the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster will also be discussed.
Trade turnover between Russia and Ukraine may reach 50 billion U.S. dollars in 2011. Last year, bilateral supplies of goods and services increased 1.6 times from the crisis year 2009 to reach 41.5 billion U.S. dollars.
The price of Russian natural gas is the most painful question for
Ukraine. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said on February 25 that the price of gas remained high for his country even despite the discount of 100 U.S. dollars per 1,000 cubic metres.
Kiev is trying to garner Russia's guarantees for the transit of gas through Ukraine, which is necessary for the implementation of big projects to upgrade the national gas transportation network.
Naftogaz Ukrainy says it may increase the export capabilities of its gas pipelines from 142 billion cubic metres now to 200 billion cubic metres at minimal cost.
The interstate commission will meet under the chairmanship of the
presidents of the two countries in the second quarter of this year.