19 June 2014, 11:15
In the course of the meeting, the Parties discussed the issue of a new typical Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of Ukraine with NATO Support Agency (NSPA) that aims to increase efficiency of initiating new and continuing the existing joint projects.
R.Koshulynskyi noted that cooperation with NATO is important for Ukraine, especially in the condition of Russian aggression. “Fruitful partnership with NATO was and remains one of the key elements of foreign and safety policy of our state. Ukraine will remain a reliable and special partner of the Alliance,” he said, expressing gratitude to the NATO PA for clear and consistent stand in the issue of defending sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.
According to him, Ukraine considers NATO Support Agency to be an important structural subdivision of the Alliance, the activity of which is directed at providing efficient and economically beneficial logistic services during peaceful, special and military time to the NATO member states and partners. At present, following the proposal of the Alliance, the Ukrainian Party elaborates the draft new typical Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and NATO Support Agency (NSPA) that aims to increase efficiency of initiating new and continuing the existing joint projects.
R.Koshulynskyi noted that Ukraine will further on focus on adherence to provisions and standards of nuclear and radiological safety; as on consistent strengthening of the level of energy safety culture; and on using the best practice in the sphere of managing radioactive wastes and nuclear materials. Initiation of a joint project with NATO regarding safety reburial of radioactive sources, that appeared on the Ukrainian territory during the USSR period as a result of implementation of defense programmes, is one of the examples of efforts Ukraine makes in the sphere of nuclear and radiological safety.
Also, according to the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine is grateful for assistance in implementing the second stage of the draft NATO/PfP Trust Fund regarding utilization of excess arms and ammunition. “The abovementioned bill will help reduce the risk of technogenic catastrophes, as well as illegal spread of weapons on the national and regional levels,” he said and added that “this bill needs to be actively completed and qualitatively implemented.”
R.Koshulynskyi stressed that Ukraine intends to maximally quickly implement the Agreement “both from technological, economic and legal sides.” “We expect that the Parliament will ratify the Agreement in the nearest time,” he said and stressed that “implementation of the Agreement will be positive”. In this context, the people’s deputy of Ukraine Yu.Syrotiuk underlined that “we need to uphold the bill in the Parliament as soon as possible and, at the same time, pool efforts to bring the system of security and defense in line with the European standards, the standards of NATO member sates.”
In his turn, NATO Support Agency (NSPA) General Manager claimed that they are ready to support Ukraine in fulfilling this task, and can become an executive body in the course of ammunition disposal.