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Meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at the level of Foreign Minis..
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Datum nieuwsfeit: 03-12-2008 |
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NATO
(2008)155
3 Dec 2008
Chairman's statement
Meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission
at the level of Foreign Ministers
held at NATO Headquarters, Brussels
The Foreign Ministers of the NATO-Ukraine Commission met today in
Brussels, to discuss NATO-Ukraine relations and intensive engagement
in the context of the Bucharest Summit decisions regarding Ukraine's
Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Reaffirming the importance of the NATO-Ukraine relationship, they have
reviewed the developments of their relations since the Bucharest
Summit. They noted with satisfaction that the NATO-Ukraine political
dialogue has further deepened, and an increasing number of high-level
contacts have taken place during the period of intensive engagement,
including the successful visit of the North Atlantic Council to
Ukraine in June 2008 and the Tallinn High-level Consultations of NATO
and Ukraine Defence Ministers in November 2008. They reiterated that
the well-structured and mutually beneficial relationship between NATO
and Ukraine over the past 11 years in the Distinctive Partnership has
contributed, and will continue to contribute, to regional and
Euro-Atlantic security.
NATO Foreign Ministers briefed their Ukrainian colleague regarding the
decisions on Ukraine and Georgia taken during the North Atlantic
Council meeting on 2-3 December 2008. In that meeting, they reaffirmed
all elements of the decisions regarding Ukraine and Georgia taken by
NATO Heads of State and Government in Bucharest. They noted that
Ukraine has made progress, yet has significant work left to do.
Therefore, they have decided to provide further assistance to Ukraine
in implementing needed reforms as Ukraine progresses towards NATO
membership.
Through a performance based process, NATO Foreign Ministers also
agreed to maximise NATO's advice, assistance, and support for
Ukraine's reform efforts in the framework of the NATO-Ukraine
Commission, which has a central role to play in supervising the
process set in hand at the Bucharest Summit. In this context, NATO
Foreign Ministers have decided to amend the NATO-Ukraine Charter on a
Distinctive Partnership together with their Ukrainian partners to
reflect this central role of the NUC. They have also decided to
reinforce the NATO Information and Documentation Centre and the NATO
Liaison Office in Kyiv. Finally, without prejudice to further
decisions which must be taken about MAP, they have agreed that under
the NATO-Ukraine Commission, an Annual National Programme will be
developed to help Ukraine to advance her reforms, which will be
annually reviewed by Allies.
Allied Foreign Ministers recalled their conviction that Ukraine`s
sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity are key factors
for ensuring stability in Europe.
Reviewing the challenges faced, and welcoming the progress achieved in
the implementation of the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan and the Intensified
Dialogue, NATO Foreign Ministers emphasised that Ukraine needs to
continue the implementation of democratic, political, economic,
defence and security sector reforms. They in particular urged Ukraine
to further consolidate her democratic institutions, and underlined the
importance of the independence of the judiciary. Allies emphasised
that further enhancing political dialogue and practical cooperation
between Ukraine and the Alliance will help advance Ukraine's
democratic transformation, reform goals and fulfillment of her
international obligations. Allies called upon the political leaders of
Ukraine to settle their differences in a way that ensures domestic
stability.
Foreign Minister Ohryzko noted the decisions by NATO Foreign Ministers
and looked forward to their implementation. Recalling the decisions of
the NUC Summit in Bucharest, he underlined that during the course of
2008, political dialogue and practical cooperation between Ukraine and
NATO has both deepened and broadened substantially. NATO-Ukraine
cooperation developed actively and dynamically, covering greater areas
of mutual interest, and increasing in intensity and scope. The
outstanding issues in the context of Ukraine's MAP application were
adequately addressed.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister re-affirmed Ukraine's strategic course
of Euro-Atlantic integration aimed at the achievement of full
membership in the Alliance. He reconfirmed Ukraine's determination to
follow through relevant reforms, and to intensify mutually beneficial
cooperation in ensuring regional peace and stability, including
through support to NATO-led missions and operations. Minister Ohryzko
further highlighted the progress on defence and security sector
reform, the implementation by Ukraine of the Annual Target Plan 2008
and preparation of the draft ATP-2009, the continued successful
implementation of NATO-supported retraining programmes for discharged
military personnel and the programme for professional development of
civilian personnel employed in security institutions, as well as
substantially enhanced public information efforts in Ukraine, which
have led to positive public opinion trends.
NATO Foreign Ministers underlined the need for Ukraine to support
reform plans with adequate resources, to improve the system of
coordination and cooperation with NATO and to increase public
awareness on NATO issues.
Allies expressed gratitude for Ukraine's active support to four
NATO-led operations and missions: in Kosovo, in the Mediterranean Sea
in Operation Active Endeavour, in Afghanistan and in the NATO Training
Mission-Iraq (NTM-I). They welcomed the recent increase of Ukraine's
contribution in both the International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) and the NTM-I. Through such contributions, Ukraine is
demonstrating its commitment to help shoulder shared security
responsibilities. They looked forward to further enhancing our
operational cooperation in the future. Allied Ministers encouraged
Ukraine to further promote regional cooperation and good neighbourly
relations.
The Foreign Ministers of the NATO-Ukraine Commission appreciated that
practical cooperation has been further enhanced in the last period by
Ukraine's decision to contribute to the UK-France Helicopter
Initiative; her accession to the Air Situation Data Exchange (ASDE)
Programme, her offer to participate in the NATO Response Force (NRF),
and her interest in cooperation on cyber defence. They looked forward
to the signature of an exchange of letters facilitating land transit
through the territory of Ukraine of equipment and supplies for ISAF.
Finally, they noted a report on the implementation of the Annual
Target Plan 2008, as well as the Military Committee with Ukraine Work
Plan for 2009/2010. In this context, Allied Ministers reaffirmed
NATO's determination to assist Ukraine's efforts through consultations
and practical cooperation.
Tel: +32 (0)2 707 50 41 - Fax: +32 (0)2 707 50 57
press@hq.nato.int - www.nato.int
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