Statement
Meeting
of the NATO-Ukraine Commission
at the level of Foreign Ministers
The NATO-Ukraine Commission met today in Foreign Ministers' session in
Budapest. Ministers reviewed the state of cooperation between NATO and
Ukraine, and discussed the contribution of the NATO-Ukraine distinctive
partnership to overall European security, and specifically in the Balkans.
Ministers welcomed the continuing qualitative development of the distinctive
partnership, as reflected inter alia in two recent sessions of NATO-Ukraine
Commission at Ambassadorial level on 25 April and 4 May 2001. They stressed
that this partnership is an evolving, dynamic process which will further
grow over time. Ministers welcomed the adoption in January 2001 of the
State Program of Cooperation of Ukraine with NATO for 2001-2004, which
contains a variety of promising new projects and is aimed at the full
implementation of the Charter. The Commission noted that the establishment
of National Coordinators in Ukraine was a helpful tool to make this process
more efficient, particularly in the field of defence reform.
The Commission noted that the progressive strengthening of the NATO-Ukraine
distinctive partnership will contribute to the full-fledged participation
of Ukraine in the overall process of European integration and in the evolving
European security architecture. Allies welcomed Ukraine's interest in
discussing the implications for its security of the on-going development
of the NATO-EU dialogue. In this context, the Ukrainian side expressed
its satisfaction that the further development of NATO-EU relations will
contribute to overall European security and that an effective ESDI needs
the support of all European countries.
Members of the Commission supported Ukraine's strong commitment to developing
good neighbourly relations, strengthening regional cooperation and promoting
stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. The Commission also
noted that NATO-Ukraine consultations and cooperation aim at promoting
stability and security, as well as democratic values, freedoms, human
rights and the rule of law throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
Minister Zlenko informed the Commission of the approval by the Verkhovna
Rada of Anatolyi Kinakh as the new Prime Minister of Ukraine, and of his
programme to continue economic and democratic reforms. The Commission
welcomed Prime Minister Kinakh's statement that he intends to take the
reform process forward.
Minister Zlenko also informed the Commission of the latest steps taken
in implementing Ukraine's policy of European integration and of broadening
NATO-Ukraine relations on the basis of the Charter on a Distinctive Partnership.
The Commission expressed its appreciation of the continuing efforts of
President Leonid Kuchma and the Government of Ukraine to take the process
further.
The Commission discussed the security situation in the Balkans, and expressed
deep concern about recent acts of violence by extremists in the northern
part of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(1)
. In this context Ministers reaffirmed their strong support for FYROM's
territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Commission reiterated its support
for the cooperation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(1)
with NATO and the EU to end the violence. They welcomed the on-going efforts
made by the democratic government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
that could potentially enhance stability across the region in general
and in Southern Serbia in particular, taking into account the rights of
all inhabitants in that area.
Ministers encouraged all parties concerned to continue to build a democratic
and multi-ethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ministers reaffirmed their strong
commitment to the full implementation of UNSCR 1244, to ensure a multi-ethnic
and democratic Kosovo within the FRY. NATO Ministers welcomed Ukraine's
continuing contribution to KFOR through the Ukrainian component of the
Polish-Ukrainian Battalion.
Ministers positively assessed on-going progress in the implementation
of the NATO-Ukraine Work Plan for 2001, and discussed priorities for the
remainder of the year. Ministers welcomed the substantive progress made
by the Joint Working Group on Defence Reform, and especially in the use
of the PfP Planning and Review Process as a tool to support its work.
They expressed satisfaction with the achievements of the retraining program
for retired officers.
Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the work of both the NATO
Information and Documentation Centre and the NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine
and agreed to continue actively to support them in fulfilling their respective
missions. The Commission discussed possible joint efforts toward the reinforcement
of the two offices as future commitments may require.
NATO and Ukraine intend to continue to support the further strengthening
of consultation, cooperation, transparency and confidence within the EAPC,
using various appropriate formats. In this context, the Commission welcomed
the joint effort by Ukraine and Turkey to promote the EAPC potential for
non-military cooperation.
Minister Zlenko expressed his gratitude for the prompt and effective
reaction of the NATO Allies, EAPC countries and Euro-Atlantic Disaster
Response Coordination Centre to the urgent request of Ukraine in connection
with the flood in Trans-Carpathia in March 2001. In this context Ministers
underlined the importance of quickly launching the NATO-Ukraine Pilot
Project on the flood prevention with the participation of Moldova, Romania
and Slovakia.
The Commission agreed to hold next meeting in Foreign Ministers session
in Brussels in December 2001.
1. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with
its constitutional name.
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