Ukraine and NATO discuss defence reform, operations
NATO’s assistance to Ukraine in defence and security sector reform and Ukraine’s contribution to NATO operations were the focus of talks of NATO Defence Ministers and the Defence Minister of Ukraine in Brussels, 9 June.
NATO’sassistance to Ukraine in defence and security sector reform andUkraine’s contribution to NATO operations were the focus of talks ofNATO Defence Ministers and the Defence Minister of Ukraine in Brussels,9 June.
Mr. Anatoliy Gritsenko, the new Minister ofDefence of Ukraine, outlined his plans for and commitment to a reformof the Ukrainian armed forces by 2011.
Ministers stressed the need for a “comprehensive reform”and reiterated their support for the process, which was strengthened bythe launch of an ‘intensified dialogue’ at a meeting of ForeignMinisters in Vilnius in April this year.
NATO support
“Ukraineis building a new future for itself: not in the West or the East, butin Ukraine itself. NATO is, and will be, your partner,” NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told Mr. Gritsenko at a joint press conference.
Ministers also discussed Ukraine’s contribution to NATO-led operationsin Afghanistan, Kosovo, the Mediterranean and its mission in Iraq.
The Secretary General announced the possibility of Ukraine contributingcapabilities to NATO’s airlift assistance to the African Union inDarfur.
Mr. De Hoop Scheffer also said that a jointproject to destroy surplus small arms, munitions, as well asMan-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) was due to begin by the endof the summer.
“This relationship is delivering results and moving forward,” the Secretary General said.