BAKU, KIEV MOVE ON TRANSIT CORRIDOR.

Ukrainian-Azerbaijani negotiations ended yesterday in Baku with an agreement to begin experimental transport of Azerbaijani oil to Ukraine via Georgia and the Black Sea as early as next month. The decision marks a first step, ahead of schedule, toward implementing President Leonid Kuchma’s and President Haidar Aliev’s March agreement on creating, jointly with Georgia, a corridor for transiting Caspian oil and other commodities to Ukraine and further to Europe, bypassing Russia. (Ukrinform, Turan, April 22)

Government, Duma Prepare for Budget Battle.