Oleksandr Korniienko: We need significant concrete steps towards Ukraine’s membership at the NATO Summit in Vilnius
11 May 2023, 16:21
This was stated by the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko during a meeting with the Co-Chairman of the NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council Audronius Azubalis.
The First Vice Speaker expressed his gratitude for the substantive dialogue on Ukraine’s accession to NATO, in particular, Ukraine’s expectations and the support already expressed by a number of states.
During the conversation, Oleksandr Korniienko once again emphasized that in addition to the “open door policy”, Ukraine needs significant concrete steps towards Ukraine’s membership at the NATO Summit in Vilnius.
At the same time, he informed his colleague about the plans of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to support the draft law from the NATO package aimed at reforming the security sector and bringing Ukrainian standards in line with NATO standards.
The parties also discussed possible further activities within the NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council.
“In order to end the war in Europe, Ukraine needs to receive an invitation to NATO in Vilnius, and the process of ratifying the accession protocols should begin at the NATO summit in Washington,” emphasized Audronius Azubalis.
In conclusion, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine invited the Co-Chairman of the NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council Audronius Azubalis to visit Ukraine to personally assess the current situation in Ukraine.
For reference. On May 10-12, 2023, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko is on a working visit to the capital of the Republic of Lithuania – Vilnius.
The program includes participation of the First Deputy Speaker in the Global Parliamentary Congress for the Future of the World, as well as a number of bilateral meetings with high-ranking officials and Lithuanian parliamentarians, members of inter-parliamentary security organizations.