KIEV, Oct. 27 - The International Monetary Fund is ready to continue cooperation with Ukraine within the EFF program if the institutional independence of the central bank is retained, IMF representative Gerry Rice said.

"The establishment of an independent central bank has been a major achievement under the ongoing program and is a cornerstone in the policies the IMF can support going forward. It is critical therefore that this achievement, that is the independence of the central bank, be protected," he said at a regular press briefing in Washington.