Remarks
by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the joint press point with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Arseniy Yatsenyuk
(As prepared)
Thank you very much, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk. It is good to see you again.
Ukraine has been a reliable NATO Partner for almost 20 years.
We are grateful for your continued commitment to building our partnership.
Ukraine can rely on NATO.
We are firm in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
And we are helping Ukraine better provide for its own security. With our Trust Funds. With expert advice.
And with our practical cooperation, like the exercise on disaster response that Ukraine is hosting in Yavoriv.
But we want to do even more together.
That is why today we have signed an agreement to help develop Ukraine´s government’s communications capability.
It will help train people at all levels, both civilian and military, to be more effective communicators.
During this visit, NATO and Ukraine have also agreed our shared ambition to step up technical cooperation.
This will help Ukrainian industry and armed forces as they develop new capabilities, that will allow Ukraine to work better with its partners.
And this is a 2-way street. Ukraine is playing its part. By being committed to important reforms. In the security sector. The economy. And with decentralisation and more powers for the regions.
This has been a difficult political decision.
But it shows that you are committed to a constructive solution to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
I welcome the renewed efforts to implement the ceasefire in the East of Ukraine. We have seen a significant reduction in the violence. This is an encouraging sign.
The situation remains fragile.
The Minsk agreement is the best chance for ending the conflict. And it must be fully implemented.
Russia has a special responsibility in this regard. It must stop its provision of military and financial support to the militants.
Mr. Prime Minister, Ukraine is an important partner for NATO. You can count on our continued strong support.
Thank you Prime Minister for our excellent discussions.