On 22-23 November 2010 the consultations on consular-legal issues were held in Moscow at the level of the Directors-General for Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

During the broad format negotiations, involving the representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of Ukraine, the Federal Migration Service and the Border Guard Service of the Russian Federation, the urgent issues of the agenda of the bilateral relations in consular and migration-visa spheres were discussed.

The delegations marked the proper fulfillment, in whole, of the provisions of the Consular Convention between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

The Parties also stated a high level of interaction between their consular services concerning protection of the rights and interests of the citizens of both states, including in third countries.

Following the results of the negotiations the Parties marked with pleasure the extension of interaction sphere at the expense of international agenda. For instance, for the first time within the framework of bilateral consular consultations the substantive exchange of experience has been performed regarding visa-free dialogue of Ukraine and Russia with the EU, status of implementation of the agreements on visa facilitation with the EU, negotiation process on conclusion, amendment and implementation of the agreements on local board movement with the European Union as well as regarding the steps towards the application of biometrical passports.

With a view to further activization of the work, aimed at the settlement of problem issues relating to stay, employment and social security of citizens, the Parties agreed on the necessity of holding separate expert negotiations at the level of the Ministries of Internal Affairs and the Ministries of Labour of Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

Next round of consultations is planned to be hold in the first half of 2011 in the city of Kyiv.