ABU DHABI, Nov. 17 – The United Arab Emirates has reached preliminary agreement with Ukraine on the acquisition of an An-148 aircraft, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said.

"We're approaching a potential agreement on purchases of An-148s," he told reporters before leaving for Ukraine from Abu Dhabi, where he was on an official visit on Nov. 16-17.

He said the talks are formally under way. He also expressed hope that they would end successfully.