Ukraine´s Cooperation with NATO meets the National Interests of Ukraine, - V.Lytvyn
On Thursday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
The Parties discussed a wide range of issues concerning parliamentary cooperation between Ukraine and NATO, development of fruitful partnership with the Alliance upon adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On the Fundamentals of Domestic and Foreign Policy", and promising areas of further cooperation in the sphere of European and global security.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine attaches importance to the extended partnership between Ukraine and NATO under the conditions of lasting global instability and new challenges to global security. Volodymyr Lytvyn stressed, "When political discussions concerning Ukraine´s accession to NATO stopped, Ukrainian public realized that it is not the destination point that matters, but active mutually beneficial cooperation with the Alliance for the benefit of the national interests of Ukraine and global security."
NATO Secretary General attaches great importance to Ukraine as "a key player in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture." "We value cooperation with your country, and support further extension of the partnership," he stated.
A. F. Rasmussen declared that the North Atlantic Alliance is ready to foster practical cooperation and political dialogue with Ukraine to support implementation of reforms, especially the reform of defense sector. He expressed his contentment with implementation of the annual national cooperation program in the year 2010. He also thanked the Ukrainian peace-makers for their participation in the operations under the aegis of NATO.
According to A. F. Rasmussen, NATO
counts upon boosting cooperation with Ukraine. NATO Secretary General informed that the latest
NATO summit in November 2010 had adopted a strategic concept of reforming ‘a
new NATO.´ This resolution means growth of investments into the defense against
cyber threats, enhancement of use of limited resources, strengthening of energy
and maritime security, and establishment of a European antiballistic missile
defense system. He stressed that Ukraine could actively participate "in the
counteracting maritime piracy and proliferation of weapons of mass annihilation,
building of a Euro-Atlantic antiballistic missile defense system, and provision
of cyber security."
A. F. Rasmussen considers assistance in the peace-time emergencies as another area of cooperation. He believes that it would be useful during the holding of the international championship EURO-2012 in Ukraine and Poland.
NATO Secretary General is convinced that Ukraine will continue to follow the democratic course and supremacy of law, which are the key aspects of relations between Ukraine and NATO. "We absolutely support the choice of Ukraine that proclaimed European integration as a top priority of foreign policy. Fruitful partnership with the Alliance can help Ukraine to pave its way to Europe," he stressed. "The world entered a period of lasting instability," the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine admitted. "Although non-affiliated with NATO, Ukraine will actively cooperate with it in all the areas common for the allied states." Unlike ideological loading of the partnership, he considers feasible results of such cooperation in the sectors of defense and security to be the main achievements of this cooperation.
V.Lytvyn assured NATO Secretary General
that The Verkhovna Rada will offer legislative support to the cooperation with
NATO. He reminded that Ukrainian deputies actively participated in NATO
Parliamentary Assembly and Ukraine-NATO Inter-Parliamentary Council.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine declared that Ukrainian parliament members were willing to attend the conferences and seminars organized by NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Summing up the conversation with NATO Secretary General, V.Lytvyn stated, "NATO is a democratic union that turned into a European and global reality to support security on the democratic foundations. Cooperation with NATO meets the national interests of Ukraine."
Heads of the subject committees and parliamentary factions attended the meeting of the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with NATO Secretary General.