Opening remarks
by the Acting Defence Minister of Ukraine, V. Ivashchenko at the High-Level NATO-Ukraine Consultations at NATO HQ, Brussels
- English
- Ukrainian
(Interpretation from Ukrainian / For original text see Ukrainian)
VALERII IVASHCHENKO (Acting Ukrainian Defence Minister): (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) (TRANSLATION THROUGHOUT) ...Time that has passed since... at the historic Bucharest-NATO Summit, the decision was made about our EuroAtlantic future, has been used to us in order to first of all continue the implementation of our plans to augment operational capabilities and transformation of the Ukrainian armed forces. While doing that, we clearly request that these plans are well justified and pragmatic.
Second, it has allowed us to objectively assess the progress in trying to reach the Ally standards. And based on that assessment, we have to understand what our priority is going... are going to be in the future defence reform, in conjunction with the reform of all the security sector of Ukraine.
Based on those assessments, we developed the second chapter of the Annual National Program on preparing Ukraine for membership in the Alliance. Those results have also been put into base for systemic work as part of the Strategic Defence Review where not only Ministry of Defence participate but 14 other governmental agencies that are all stakeholders in the defence and security sectors.
Today, we have a very good chance to discuss the experience that Ukraine has gained as it implemented the first cycle of its annual national program: the first results of the Defence Strategic Review. And perhaps we can share our ideas as to the mechanisms of how to increase, further increase the effectiveness of our cooperation. At the outside, I'd like to emphasize that Ukraine is a European State. And we do not think we can exist beyond the European community. We understand that Ukraine's place is our joint European, common European home. We believe that the North Atlantic Alliance is the guarantor of stability and peace in the EuroAtlantic space. And acquiring membership in the Alliance is our strategic objective and the work of all of the government is directed toward that aim. Thank you for attention. I'll be ready to continue working together with you. Thank you.
MODERATOR: Thank you very much, Mister Minister. And may I now ask representatives of the press and to media to leave the room, thank you.