Statement
on NATO-Ukraine
Meeting
in Defence Ministers' Session
Brussels, 6 December 2000
The NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) met today in Defence Ministerial Session
at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. NATO Ministers expressed appreciation
for Ukraine's contribution to NATO-led operations in the Balkans, in particular
the participation of the Ukrainian Helicopter Squadron and the Polish-Ukrainian
Battalion in KFOR.
The Commission welcomed the progress being made in implementing Ukraine's
plans for further restructuring of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including
the recent Presidential Decree directing a review of Ukraine's national
security and defence concept and development of a strategy for establishing
civil control in the defence sphere.
Ministers also welcomed the results of the Senior-Level meeting of the
Joint Working Group on Defence Reform (JWG), in particular the wider application
of the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) to support Ukraine's plan
for reform of the armed forces; and the development of specific cooperation
in the military activities of other security structures such as the Border
Guard and Ministry of Interior and Civil Emergency Forces.
Ministers expressed appreciation for the extensive programme of activities
on defence reform for 2001 identified by the JWG. These activities, which
are to be carried forward by Ukrainian and NATO competent bodies in the
framework of the JWG, include expert team visits on safe storage and destruction
of ammunition, base closures, courses on security and defence for deputies
and staff of the Rada, and a senior-level seminar on cooperative security
to be conducted in Kyiv in July 2001. Ministers noted with satisfaction
that implementation of these activities has already begun by the appropriate
civil and military authorities.
Ministers noted the "Updated Work Plan for the Military Representatives
and Chiefs of Staff within the Framework of the NATO-Ukraine Charter"
and the essential contribution of NATO and Ukrainian military authorities
in promoting interoperability and defence reform.
Ministers also noted the importance of increased transparency and coordination
in relation to bilateral programmes and agreed to explore potential coordination
mechanisms to strengthen bilateral and multilateral activities aimed at
implementation of defence reform. A first meeting on this subject will
take place in London in the Spring 2001.
The Commission welcomed the successful implementation of the PfP Status
of Forces Agreement and the conduct of the PfP Exercise "Cooperative
Partner 2000" in Ukraine.
Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the programme of cooperation
between NATO and Ukraine and the important contribution of the NATO Liaison
Office and the NATO Information and Documentation Centre in taking this
work forward. They welcomed the posting of two Ukrainian officers to SACLANT
and AFSOUTH headquarters.
Ministers noted the great value they place on meetings of the JWG at
Senior-Level and agreed to review progress on defence reform when they
meet again in Spring 2001.
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