KIEV, May 10 - Ukraine is optimistic that it will sign a $15 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund in the near future after positive talks, Reuters reported Friday, citing Finance Minister Yuriy Kolobov.

"The (view) of both sides is that the negotiations are very fruitful and that in the nearest future both sides are interested in signing this agreement," Kolobov said on the sidelines of a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development conference in Istanbul.

A previous $15 billion program was frozen in early 2011 after the Kiev government refused to raise heavily subsidized household gas and heating prices.

The gas price remains one of the main stumbling blocks in the way of a new loan deal as President Viktor Yanukovych's government continues to resist calls for unpopular austerity measures, analysts say.

"Right now both sides, we and the IMF, are looking for a special model in this case and I think in the nearest future we will find this model which will be suitable for both sides," Kolobov said when asked about IMF pressure for such measures.

Favorable conditions on global capital markets - propped up by liquidity injections from major central banks - are strengthening Ukraine's hand, allowing it to issue Eurobonds at relatively low rates.

An IMF team, following two-week talks with the Ukrainian government late March and early April, said that the Washington-based lender needs “additional consultations” to decide on the loan.

Ukraine, which needs the loan to support its foreign currency reserves and to refinance about $9 billion in foreign debt falling due this year, including $5.8 billion owed to the IMF, started the talks in January.

"The key building blocks of a new program would be measures to reduce Ukraine's fiscal and external current account deficits, and energy sector and banking reforms, in order to create the conditions for sustained economic growth and job creation in Ukraine," Chris Jarvis, the head of the IMF team, said in a statement April 10.

The IMF last month also downgraded its forecast for GDP growth in Ukraine in 2013 to zero from its 3.5% forecast in October.

Ukraine's GDP growth is expected at 2.8% on year in 2014, according to the IMF.

The IMF also forecast growth in average annual inflation in Ukraine in 2013 of 0.5%, up from 0.6% in 2012. Ukraine’s inflation is expected to accelerate to 4.7% in 2014, according to the forecast.

The Ukrainian government expects the economy to expand 3.4% in 2013. (rt/tl/ez)