7 Feb.
2008
Ukrainian Defence Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov briefed his Allied counterparts on the new Ukrainian government's priorities in security and defence policy, at an informal meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 7 February.
Allied ministers welcomed this update and Minister Yekhanurov's emphasis on the importance of solid implementation of these plans. They also praised Ukraine for the progress achieved so far in reforming the defence and security sectors, including recent steps which have laid the foundation for systemic reforms in the intelligence and security agencies.
Ministers also thanked Ukraine for its continued operational support -- it is the only Partner country that actively supports all NATO-led operations and missions. This demonstrates the country's military capabilities and confirms its role as an exporter of security.
Minister Yekhanurov also talked about Ukraine's aspirations to join the NATO Membership Action Plan.
"Ukraine is an important country and NATO takes the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine very seriously indeed," NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told the press after the meeting. He called for substance and content to be given to Intensified Dialogue with Ukraine on its membership aspirations and related reforms. He stressed that NATO's door remains open to new members, but also underlined that this process is performance-based and driven by reforms.
