| Robertson
focuses on democratic values
during visit to Kyiv
Defence reform, the evolution of Ukraine's relations with NATO and its integration
into Euro-Atlantic institutions were at the heart of discussions between Lord
Robertson and members of the Ukrainian government on 20 October.
The Secretary General met President Leonid Kuchma, Prime Minister Viktor
Yanukovych, Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryshchenko and Defence Minister
Yevhen Marchuk. He also met the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada - the Ukrainian
Parliament - Volodymyr Lytvyn.
After these talks, Lord Robertson was invited to address the
inaugural meeting of the "Euro-Atlantic League", a Ukrainian
non-governmental organisation that brings together supporters of Ukraine's
integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions from across the country.
He underlined the achievements of Ukraine in cooperating with the Alliance
since its independence in 1991, but stressed the role of civil society
in building a young democracy.
He said: "...success in this effort will require more
than the stated intentions of political leaders and defence and security
sector
reform. […] Reinforcing political reform and the role of civil society
is one of the [Action] Plan's key elements. Freedom of the press, freedom
of opinion, are decisive factors among nations contributing to the
future of the Alliance,
including through its open-door membership policy. The quality of the
Alliance is ultimately a mirror of the democratic values of its members".
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