03/08/2010 (Agence Europe) - The EU and Russia are ready to take part in the economic development of the autonomous republic of Crimea, said Ukraine's president, Viktor Yanukovich, addressing a meeting in Simferopol on Tuesday 3 August and reported by Ria Novosti. He said they and the leaders of the European Union had agreed to launch a pilot partnership programme. The Federation of Russia, he said, was ready to invest funds in the development of Crimea. The Ukrainian president has spoken on several occasions of the need to pay special attention to the economic development of Crimea. On 18 March this year, he called upon the regional administration to ensure that the autonomous republic was no longer affected by the economic crisis by the end of 2010. (O.J./transl.jl)