Kyiv, Ukraine 20 Oct. 2005

Joint press conference with NATO Secretary General, Jaap De Hoop Scheffer and the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko Q: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO (President of Ukraine ): (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) UNIDENTIFIED: (WHISPERS) YUSHCHENKO: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER (NATO Secretary General): I think it was a special meeting we had in the past two hours. The first ever between the North Atlantic Council and the National Security Defence Council of Ukraine chaired by President Yushchenko himself. UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: Another remarkable symbol I would say of the new depth of the NATO-Ukrainian relationship. UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: There are, of course, more than a symbol because under the chairmanship of the President we had a very honest discussion of the challenges this country is facing and addressing. UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: We saw, I think, a very strong commitment, honesty and a strong commitment of addressing these fundamental reforms like the fight against corruption, like the way to successful elections next March, like the reform of the defence and security sector, like economic reform, the judiciary rule of law. All those form of challenges which have to find an answer. We saw great commitment. UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: Let me underline that when I mentioned these challenges as the President addressed them in the meeting we just had, it is clear that wherever necessary and possible NATO can help, NATO will help Ukraine . UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: It is of course clear that Ukraine chooses its own priorities and its own path. UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: It has chosen for Euro-Atlantic integration. UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: And NATO and Ukraine will make full use as we are today and as we're doing tomorrow of all the mechanisms and the means we have. I mentioned already intensified dialogue. I could mention the annual entire plans. We'll use them to the full. UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: We are impressed by the clarity of vision shown by the President and the members of the National Security Defence Council and the ministers about the road and the path to follow. UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN): DE HOOP SCHEFFER: The important words, I think, if we discuss this... this roadmap, this path, I mentioned earlier reform of the elements, that the reform is consistent, that the reform is coordinated. UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: Tomorrow, the ambassadors of the Council and I and Secretary General are going out to the regions. I'll do it here in Kyiv... UNIDENTIFIED: (INAUDIBLE) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: ... to have a dialogue with the Ukrainian people... UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: ... to explain what NATO is today, what kind of Alliance it is and also what NATO is not. UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN) DE HOOP SCHEFFER: Because this message which we share with the Ukrainian goverment is of course of great importance to explain to the Ukrainian people, and then not only a gift, also as we do tomorrow in Kharkiv and Odessa and Donetsk . UNIDENTIFIED: (SPEAKS IN UKRAINIAN)