Joint press conference

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER (NATO Secretary General):  Minister, Yurii, welcome again to Brussels. 

Let me start by saying that I think we had a substantial meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, in large part, thanks to our Ukrainian friends and partners and the presentation of their ambitious... ambitious plans.  Prior to the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, we witnessed the signature of the memorandum of understanding, the MOU, on air situation data exchange.  And once implemented, it will connect Ukraine to the NATO system which is a very practical step to improve both air safety and counter-terrorism mechanism. 

And I would like to encourage other partners to follow in Ukraine's path.  Allied ministers welcomed Minister Ekhanurov's confirmation of Ukraine's willingness to enhance its substantial contribution; its already substantial contribution to NATO led operations and missions. 

As we speak, another Ukrainian frigate with the ship-borne helicopter is deployed in the Mediterranean in NATO's Operation Active Endeavour.  Ukraine also plans to maintain its participation in KFOR, in Kosovo and the NTM-I training mission in Iraq and their participation in the PRT in Afghanistan.

What is important to note: that Ukraine intends to be part of the NATO Response Force, as well as considering an input to the helicopter initiative led by France and the United Kingdom.  So you see that is a very interesting relationship indeed by all these forms of participation.

Now, all these engagements, of course, are important for NATO.  And I commend Ukraine for them, but also for the Ukrainian armed forces themselves.  They illustrate both a political desire to be part of solutions to international security challenges and a growing capability to do so. 

This is why ministers a moment ago encouraged Ukraine to continue vigorously with defence security sector reforms.  And they clearly indicated that Ukraine can count on allied support.  But as Allies indicated, and as I indicated myself, Ukraine would benefit from more focused resource allocation.  The problem is... we talk about reform.  There are more than a few things under-funded and under-resourced.  Now, I know the difficult position minister of Defence has in competition with other priorities.  Nevertheless, it will be important if more resources could be allocated to these important activities. 

Let me tell you that, of course,  this meeting today of the NUC in defence ministers session should be seen as part of a wider intensive engagement between NATO and Ukraine as Heads of State and Government decided in Bucharest. 

You also know that the NAC (North Atlantic Council) and I will travel to Kiev on Monday for an important visit to listen, to discuss, to engage with politicians of all persuasions in Ukraine with the young generation and opinion formers. And you'll also know that the ambassadors are going to do an outreach programme in Ukraine. 

This is vital, this kind of discussion.  Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic ambitions...  that range... I should say, its Ukraine's challenging reforms, its active international role, as I have described to you, on the security scene that requires a thorough debate in Ukraine where also as far as NATO is concerned various myths are still existing and they need to be... to be debunked.  The road to member...NATO membership is never a short and easy one, we know.  Let me quote the famous Beatles song again:  "It's a long and winding"   I have no shortcuts to offer.  As you know, Allied foreign ministers will discuss at the coming meeting in December, will give a first assessment as it was in the Bucharest language on the issue of the Membership Action Plan.  It is clear that performance and the ability to deliver on high standards are expected in this organization, including in terms of public support and other important elements. 

This is what I have to tell you, not only on the meeting but on our relationship in the more wider sense.  Let me now ask Minister Ekhanurov...  Yurii, please take the floor.

YURII EKHANUROV (Minister of Defence of Ukraine):  (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN)

JAMES APPATHURAI (NATO spokesman): First question is here.

Q:  (INAUDIBLE) News Agency of Ukraine,  can I ask in Ukrainian please?

APPATHURAI:  Yes.

Q:  (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) ... And to the Secretary General, please could you specify the issues Ukraine proposed in the NATO Response Force capabilities development?  And what kind of assistance from Ukraine, NATO could accept?  Thank you.

YURII EKHANUROV:  (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN)

DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  Let me answer the NRF question.  It's a bit early to go into detail.  The offer has been made.  The offer has been accepted.  It depends of course on what Ukraine finally decides it can concretely offer.  And that should, of course, match at the end of the day with what we have... elements of the NRF which are not sufficiently filled.  So your question will certainly get an answer at a certain stage.  But it's still a bit early.  Let me underline the importance of the principle that Ukraine as a part of NATO is going to participate in the NRF. 

APPATHURAI:  Paul...

Q:  Paul Ames, Associated Press.  The news from Dublin today is that the Irish have voted against, referendum on the European Treaty.  I'd like to ask our Secretary General how concerned he is about the possible impact on Europe's capabilities as a defence partner. And I'd like to ask Ukrainian minister how worried he is about the prospects for future European enlargement. 

DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  Off the record I could say that Ukraine is going to fill up these capabilities.  But I haven't said that.  Off the record.  Let me... let me...  I should first ask because... I should first ask if the results are there... are yet confirmed, because otherwise I'm really not going to speculate on a scenario which is still a virtual one.  So I would be overstepping my mandate anyway.  So let me refrain from commenting at this very moment.  I might have something to say about this later but not now. 

APPATHURAI:  I think that's it.