New Delhi, Aug 12: Ukraine today said it has stopped supplies of military equipment to Pakistan and expressed its readiness to discuss with India ways to enhance defence cooperation. Asked about India's concerns on Ukraine giving armament to Pakistan, visiting Ukrainian foreign minister Anatoliy Zlenko said it was done earlier on business interests "corresponding to our national interests" but now the concentration was on trade and economic issues with that country. "We are not thinking in terms of politics on supply of armament to this or that country," Zlenko, who held wide-ranging discussions with External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, told reporters. Asked whether Ukraine and India were working on any specific defence cooperation agreements, Zlenko, who has met Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Defence Minister George Fernandes, said "I am not competent to discuss in detail" the specifics but went on to add "Ukraine is ready to discuss these issues" with India.


The two foreign ministers signed four accords including one on mutual protection of classified information and another on cooperation in the field of tourism.

The two sides also signed agreements on instruments of ratification for the treaty on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters and another for the promotion and protection of investments.
Bureau Report