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| Updated: 25-Apr-2002 | NATO Press Releases |
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Press Release (2002) 054 25 April 2002 |
Statement The Commission noted Dr. Kharchenko's information about the results of Ukraine's parliamentary elections on March 31, 2002. While reviewing the security situation in the Euro-Atlantic area, the Commission acknowledged the strategic nature of the NATO-Ukraine relationship, and welcomed Ukraine's efforts to further close ties with the Alliance on a qualitatively new level. While discussing the evolving security situation in the Euro-Atlantic area, NATO Ambassadors noted the statement by Deputy State Secretary Kharchenko that NATO enlargement is an important feature for strengthening of European security and that NATO's open-door policy is one of the major elements of overall European integration processes which enhance the level of national security of Ukraine in the context of the Euro-Atlantic integration policy of Ukraine. The Commission praised Ukraine's practical contribution to Allied efforts in the international fight against terrorism, including active involvement of Ukraine's military transport aviation for deployment of Allied troops in Afghanistan, and the opening of its air space to Allied aircraft participating in the anti-terrorist campaign. The Commission reviewed the situation in the Balkans. NATO and Ukraine emphasized their commitment to promote long term stability in the Balkans through regional reconciliation and cooperation, good neighbourly relations, stable and secure borders, protection of the rights of members of ethnic groups and minorities, confidence building measures, and a lasting resolution to the problem of refugees and displaced persons. While expressing special appreciation of KFOR's efforts in bringing stability to Kosovo, NATO Ambassadors welcomed Ukraine's decision to continue its contribution to KFOR through Ukraine's component of the Polish-Ukrainian Battalion. The Commission welcomed the deepened dialogue, cooperation and consultations between NATO and Russia. The Commission positively assessed the implementation of the NATO-Ukraine Work Plan for the year 2002, in particular progress in the area of defence reform, and discussed priorities for the reminder of the year. In this context Ambassadors noted the contribution of the NATO Laison Office and the NATO Information and Documentation Centre, and took note of the appointment of the new Director of the NATO Information and Documentation Centre in Kyiv. Ambassadors welcomed the positive development of the Distinctive Partnership between NATO and Ukraine since the beginning of 2002, as reflected, in particular, by the NATO-Ukraine political consultations on the Balkans on 5 February 2002 and, most recently, by the special meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission with the participation of the Prime-minister of Ukraine on 1 March 2002. The Commission noted the successful realisation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Ukraine and the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA), signed in December 2001, providing for the implementation a PfP Trust Fund project aimed at the safe destruction of 400,000 Anti Personnel Landmines. In this context the Commission welcomed the signing on February 26, 2002 in Kyiv of a contract on elimination of stockpiles of antipersonnel mines between the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) and Ukraine for work to be carried out at a site in Donetsk. In this context Ukraine expressed its gratitude to Allied nations who had offered their financial support to the project. Ambassadors confirmed that, following the ministerial in Reykjavik, the
next meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission will be in Kyiv in July 2002
in the context of the 5th Anniversary of the NATO-Ukraine Charter. |
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