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Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have just finished this meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission.

Our wide-ranging discussions built on the areas identified in the NATO-Ukraine Charter we signed in Madrid in 1997. Since then our partnership has been constantly enhanced.

We both agree on the importance of our relationship. And we are both resolved to deepen the already excellent links that exist between us.

There are many ways we will achieve this. I am pleased to announce that, for the first time, we will station NATO personnel - two Liaison Officers - in Kyiv soon. These officers will help provide practical support for Ukraine's reform efforts.

The Partnership for Peace remains a central element of our cooperation. We will develop our contacts within this programme into a more effective and operational relationship.

And of course we continue to support Ukraine's development as a democratic, sovereign and independent state.

We discussed Kosovo in detail. We heard President Kuchma's ideas on how we can achieve a solution. We are both committed to a lasting political settlement, giving Kosovo a substantial degree of autonomy. So we need to deepen the exchanges we had today. And I personally welcome the tireless diplomatic efforts of the Ukrainian government and of President Kuchma personally to resolve the crisis.