Ukraine officially call off agreements with Russia in field of broadcasting and information

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted decision on termination an agreements on cooperation in the field of television, radio broadcasting and information with the Russian Federation Government. This is stated in the decree №1053 of 30 November 2016, published on the government portal, "Media Detector" reports.

"Further action specified agreements does not meet the condition of international relations and not in line with measures taken by Ukraine to protect the information field of the country from the negative information and psychological influences" - memorandum to the document states.

The Government decided to terminate the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Russian Federation on cooperation in the field of television and radio, signed on Oct.23, 2000 in Moscow and the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Russian Federation on cooperation in information, signed on Feb.27 1998 in Moscow.

The first agreement concerned the development of cooperation in creating favorable legal, institutional and economic conditions for transmission and broadcasting programs of Russian organizations in Ukraine and Ukrainian organizations programs broadcasting in the Russian Federation "to meet the cultural and information needs of citizens and further strengthen traditional ties between two countries."

The second agreement dealt with the wide and free exchange of information between Ukraine and Russia, including Information Agencies, audiovisual, print and other media, as well as hindering on-site production media, which are registered and operate under current legislation in the country of the other Party on condition that the distribution of such products does not conflict with the current legislation of the state.

The Cabinet of Ministers instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the prescribed manner to inform the government of the Russian Federation about termination of these agreements.

As IMI reported earlier, on Sep. 12 2016, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has signed the law on withdrawal of Russian television and radio broadcasts from European quotas (except satellite broadcasting).