29 Nov. 2004

Secretary General meets Ukrainian religious leaders News 26/11/2004 - NATO Secretary General's position on Ukraine crisis Background NATO-Ukraine relations Multimedia High resolution photo The Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, met today with a group of Ukrainian religious leaders, representing all major denominations in that country. In view of the complex political situation in Ukraine the Secretary General said "I am confident that you will work hard to keep the country together in a spirit of tolerance and understanding, and that you will appeal to your followers to uphold the high values your faiths represent." He called Ukraine a vital partner of NATO. The Alliance, he told the group, "is about defending values and it would like to see Ukrainians finding Ukrainian solutions to Ukrainian problems". The visit is taking place in the framework of the information programme organised by the Public Diplomacy Division of NATO HQ.