11.07.2003 07:48
KUCHMA SIGNS LAW INTRODUCING WIDER AUTHORITIES OF DEFENSE MINISTRY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma has signed into law a bill introducing wider authorities of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry in the issues of international cooperation, cooperation with bodies of other countries and international organizations.

The law takes effect on the day of publication and introduces amendments to the law of Ukraine's defense and to the law of Ukraine's Armed Forces, the press service of the Ukrainian president reported to Defense Express July 10.

Under the amendments to the law of Ukraine's defense, the Defense Ministry is authorized for international cooperation in the military-political sphere and in the issues of civil-military relations in addition to military and military-technical cooperation.

The Defense Ministry may establish relations not only with relevant state bodies of other countries, but also with any bodies of foreign states and international organizations.

Under the law, the General Staff will perform international military cooperation with Armed Forces of other states, will cooperate in military-political and military technical field.