Summer Academy in Ukraine

The first ever NATO Summer Academy "The NATO Istanbul Summit: understanding international security and Euro-Atlantic integration in Ukraine" took place in Simferopol on 30 June - 3 July, 2004.

Over 60 young political party advisors and students from across Ukraine gathered in the city of Simferopol, the capital of Crimea. The event provided the participants with first hand information on security issues and the results of the Istanbul Summit.

High-level speakers addressed the audience and used a daily video link with Brussels throughout the Academy to communicate directly with NATO HQ officials. Issues discussed included 21st century concepts of security and the way NATO addresses these in general and with Ukraine in particular; the future of international security including the results of the Istanbul Summit; Euro-Atlantic issues and NATO cooperation; security as a component of national securities; and, Ukraine and security.

With the participation of Marek Ziolkowski, Ambassador of Poland, NATO Contact Point Embassy in Ukraine and the Rector of the Taurida National University (TNU), Dr. Mykola Bahrov, the event was organised by TNU with the support of the NATO Information and Documentation Centre in Kiev.
In an effort to increase NIDC's outreach activities in the Crimea, a region of Ukraine where misconceptions about the Alliance have been particularly noted, Simferopol was specifically selected as the venue for holding the Academy.