Ukraine and Russia are continuing to hold talks on the delimitation of maritime areas and the Kerch Strait, Ukrainian Ambassador to Russia Volodymyr Yelchenko has said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"The question of the delimitation of the Azov and Black Seas and the Kerch Strait remains an urgent one in negotiations with the Russian side. I would like to note that the Ukrainian side has taken an active stance on the need for the speedy completion of the legalization of the border with Russia," the diplomat said.

He said that Ukraine sees the delimitation of adjacent maritime areas as a priority.

"At the same time, it's clear that during the negotiation process the parties are trying to achieve the most suitable conditions for themselves. The signing last July of a joint declaration by the presidents of Ukraine and Russia on maritime delimitation in the Azov and Black Seas and the Kerch Strait added a positive impetus to negotiations on this issue," Yelchenko said.

He said that the parties had agreed to sign a bilateral agreement that would finally resolve the matter.

"At the moment it's still necessary to agree on possible options of the delimitation, first and foremost, of the Kerch Strait," the Ukrainian diplomat said.

He also said that the delimitation of the Azov and Black Seas and the Kerch Strait is directly related to territorial issues and is a very sensitive issue for the Ukrainian state.

"The negotiations on this issue are currently continuing, and the parties are gradually continuing to search for compromises in order to bring their positions closer," the ambassador said.

As reported, on July 12, 2012, the presidents of Ukraine and Russia announced the completion of talks on the delimitation of the maritime border. However, the sides declined to disclose the nature of the agreements reached on this matter.

The maritime border between Ukraine and Russian is 321 km long.