Ukraine, RI sign pact

Ukraine, RI sign pact

Reuter

Indonesian Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat (second left) inspects a Ukrainian honor guard with his Ukrainian counterpart, Valery Shmarov (left), in Kiev. Edi and Shmarov signed a memorandum on military and armament cooperation yesterday as part of Indonesia's effort to refurbish its Soviet-made military equipment, the DPA news agency reported. The visit of the Indonesian minister, Shmarov said, "testifies to the development of the relations which were launched during the visit of Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma to Indonesia" earlier this year. "All the premises exist that two neutral states with no contradictions can develop their cooperation on the basis of mutual interest," he added. Edi, who arrived in Kiev on Sunday, will also meet with President Kuchma and other top Ukrainian officials. During his three-day visit Edi is also expected to tour a shipyard in Feodosia on the Crimea peninsula which produces jet-foil ships. (DPA)