Azarov says he wants to secure joint status of An-70 project at a meeting with Medvedev

As part of preparations for a meeting of the Ukrainian-Russian intergovernmental committee on trade and economic cooperation, which will be held in Donetsk on June 27, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov had held a meeting, giving a number of instructions, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers has reported.

The meeting was dedicated to the program for the production of An-70 military transport aircraft in Ukraine.

Azarov instructed the Finance Ministry to review and provide targeted and regular funding for this project.

"These funds should go to the enterprise without delay," he said.

Azarov also stressed the need to address technical issues, agree them with the Russian side and clearly envisage these positions in the relevant documents.

"Express your positions by June 27, so that we can discuss everything with the Russians and set all these things out in a respective protocol," Azarov said.

The prime minister also stressed the need to overcome all artificial barriers to implementing the project on the creation of An-70 military transport aircraft.

"The development of the aircraft has entered its final stage. There are customers for large batches of these aircraft," Azarov said, adding that after the establishment of production, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry will also manage to purchase the necessary amount of planes.