ISTANBUL

Ukraine and the EU signed a memorandum of understanding Monday to strengthen cooperation between Ukrainian defense companies and European industry groups, according to the Aerospace, Security and Defense Industries Association of Europe (ASD).

Ukrainian Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin and ASD Secretary General Jan Pie formalized the agreement in Brussels during the second EU-Ukraine Defense Industry Forum.

“The aim of the memorandum is to jointly promote the common interests of Ukrainian industry and ASD members,” the ASD said in a statement, cited by Interfax-Ukraine.

The statement also noted that the partnership will support Ukrainian firms’ participation in European defense consortia under programs such as the European Defense Fund and Horizon Europe.

As part of the initiative, the ASD launched its online B2B platform “ASD Connect” to facilitate links between Ukrainian and other European defense companies.

The memorandum is valid for three years and can be extended upon agreement.