Ukraine seeks to cooperate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cope with economic difficulties and challenges the country is facing, said Prime Minister Mykola Azarov on Thursday, according to Xinhua.

During talks with Nikolay Gueorguiev, head of the IMF mission to Ukraine, Azarov said that the overall financial slowdown and weak demand on steel in the global market has hampered Ukraine's economic growth.

Despite financial difficulties, Kiev has fulfilled its financial obligations domestically, Azarov said.

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"We are implementing flexible policy which allows us to maintain a stable situation in the country," he said.

Gueorguiev, for his part, voiced his optimism about further cooperation between the IMF and Kiev.

"I hope that we can ensure productive collaboration for the benefits of the Ukrainian people," Gueorguiev said.

Gueorguiev, former deputy division chief at the IMF European Department, was named as the head of the IMF delegation to Ukraineon June 4.