10 June 2005

Ukraine and NATO discuss defence reform, operations News Defence Ministers Meeting 9-10 June 2005 Officiel texts 09/06/05 - NATO Statement - Meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission ENG. / FR. / UKR. Background NATO - Ukraine relations NATO’s assistance to Ukraine in defence and security sector reform and Ukraine’s contribution to NATO operations were the focus of talks of NATO Defence Ministers and the Defence Minister of Ukraine in Brussels, 9 June. Mr. Anatoliy Gritsenko, the new Minister of Defence of Ukraine, outlined his plans for and commitment to a reform of the Ukrainian armed forces by 2011. Ministers stressed the need for a “comprehensive reform” and reiterated their support for the process, which was strengthened by the launch of an ‘intensified dialogue’ at a meeting of Foreign Ministers in Vilnius in April this year. NATO support “Ukraine is building a new future for itself: not in the West or the East, but in Ukraine itself. NATO is, and will be, your partner,” NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told Mr. Gritsenko at a joint press conference. Ministers also discussed Ukraine’s contribution to NATO-led operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo, the Mediterranean and its mission in Iraq. The Secretary General announced the possibility of Ukraine contributing capabilities to NATO’s airlift assistance to the African Union in Darfur. Mr. De Hoop Scheffer also said that a joint project to destroy surplus small arms, munitions, as well as Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) was due to begin by the end of the summer. “This relationship is delivering results and moving forward,” the Secretary General said.