As for a conflict surrounding the construction of a causeway in the Kerch Strait by Russia, it requires close attention, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister. “The potentially dangerous actions by our northern neighbor is a serious problem not only for us but also for our partnership,” he said. At the same time, Mr. Grishchenko added that Ukrainian authorities “are far from calling it (the partnership) into question”. According to him, Ukraine is going to solve all its problems with Russia exclusively in the spirit of partnership. “I don’t see any alternative to it,” the minister stressed.

The Kerch Strait separates Ukraine's Crimea region from Russia’s Taman Peninsula and runs between the Black Sea and the Azov Sea. Russia and Ukraine have not been able to agree on the status of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait for about ten years. Russia suggested treating them as internal waters. Meanwhile, Ukraine took control of the Kerch Strait and charges more than $15m a year for the passage of Russian ships. Also at stake are 120 prospective oil and gas deposits on the shelf on the Azov Sea, which contain an estimated 150-200m tons of hydrocarbons.

A week ago, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma said the conflict around the causeway in the Kerch Strait should not be linked to Ukraine’s participation in the Single Economic Space project, linking Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. He said Ukraine was interested in close cooperation with these countries. “If we get the free trade zone working without exceptions and limitations, this will be a victory,” the Ukrainian leader stressed. According to him, participation in the Single Economic Space is important for Ukraine, especially given that Ukraine will lose some sales markets after the EU accepts new members in May 2004.