Ukrainian president signs law ratifying cooperation agreement with Russia on use of outer space

Kyiv, December 25 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko has signed a Ukrainian law on the ratification of a framework agreement between the Ukraine Cabinet of Ministers and the Russian government on the protection of technology due to cooperation in the exploration and use of space for peaceful purposes, and the creation and operation of rocket technology. The text of a decree to that effect was posted on the official Web site of the head of state on Friday.As reported, on December 17, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, ratified a Ukrainian-Russian agreement on cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.The agreement foresees that the sides sign it to establish cooperation in the protection of technology due to the implementation of joint programs in the exploration and use of space for peaceful purposes, as well as the creation and operation of rocket technology.According to the document, the sides take measures so that such activity corresponds to the needs of securing protected products and technologies.The sides also agreed to take measures to prevent unauthorized access to products and technologies and perform functions on the physical and legal protection of products and technologies.The sides will monitor potential risks and agree with the governments of third countries on ensuring that such monitoring is conducted on their territories.The agreement foresees that the organs empowered to implement the agreement are the National Space Agency of Ukraine, the Russian Federal Space Agency, the Russian Defense Ministry, and the Russian Federal Service for Technical and Export Control.The president also signed a law ratifying an inter-governmental agreement between Ukraine and South Korea on amending a trade agreement between the two countries, which was signed on November 30, 1995.