Press Release (2005)004 20 Jan. 2005

NATO Secretary General congratulates Ukrainian president-elect The Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, congratulated today the president-elect of Ukraine, Mr. Viktor Yushchenko, with the following message: “Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your election as President of Ukraine. I am confident that the trust the Ukrainian people have placed in you will provide a mandate to enact far-reaching political and economic reforms benefiting all citizens and all regions of Ukraine. I am also certain that under your leadership the special relationship between Ukraine and the Alliance will gather further momentum. I wish you every success in facing the challenges that lie ahead. Please be assured that NATO stands ready to support your government’s efforts to implement the ambitious common goals and principles that underpin our deepening relationship. I am sure that our close cooperation will yield important results. I am very much looking forward to working with you”. At the invitation of the Ukrainian authorities, the Secretary General will represent the Alliance at the Presidential inauguration ceremony on 23 January in Kyiv.

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