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Statement
NATO-Ukraine
Commission
20 November 2000
The NATO-Ukraine Commission met
on 20 November 2000 in Ambassadorial
session in Brussels.
The Commission reviewed the situation
in the Balkans. NATO and Ukraine welcomed
the democratic changes in the FRY
and their positive impact on security
and stability in the region.
NATO and Ukraine reaffirmed their
commitment to the full implementation
of UNSCR 1244 and ensuring a multiethnic
and democratic Kosovo within the FRY.
NATO and Ukraine confirmed their determination
to continue close cooperation within
KFOR and expressed their appreciation
for its continuing crucial role in
maintaining stability in Kosovo. Members
of the Commission gave a positive
assessment of Ukraine's practical
contribution to KFOR through its helicopter
unit and the contribution to the Polish-Ukrainian
peacekeeping battalion.
The Commission discussed NATO-Ukraine
cooperation in non-military areas,
inter alia, Civil Emergency Planning,
Science and Environment, Information,
Economics and Armaments. The Ukraine
and NATO Ambassadors reiterated the
importance of non-military cooperation
and its practical value.
Members of the Commission expressed
their strong belief that Civil Emergency
Planning (CEP) and coordinated disaster
response is still one of the most
promising and rapidly developing area
among EAPC/PfP Programs. They welcomed
the results of the first ever practical
EAPC exercise of the Euroatlantic
Disaster Response Coordination Center
(EADRCC) and Euroatlantic Disaster
Response Unit (EADRU) "Trans-Carpathia
2000", which was hosted by Ukraine
in September this year.
Ambassadors welcomed the establishment
of the NATO-Ukraine Working Group
on Science and Environment and the
results of the first meeting it held
in October this year.
Ambassadors noted the first meeting
of the Economics Committee in "19+1"
session with Ukraine in September
this year, where the progress of the
NATO-Ukraine Joint Project on retraining
of retired Ukrainian military personal
was discussed. The Commission considered
that, in addition to this Project,
other initiatives will provide solid
ground for deeper Ukraine-NATO cooperation
in Economics area: the Course on Defense
Economics for Ukrainian officials
organized in Kyiv from September to
December this year, the recent meeting
of the NATO-Ukraine Open-ended Working
group on Economic security held in
Cracow (Poland) in October, and the
regular participation of Ukrainian
representatives in EAPC Economic seminars
and meetings.
The Commission agreed that the further
development of information coverage
of NATO-Ukraine cooperation in Ukraine
could provide for better understanding
in Ukraine of today's NATO and its
role in Euro-Atlantic security, and
thereby generate support for the implementation
of the strategic course of Ukrainian
foreign policy. As to the practical
aspects of cooperation in the information
field, the Commission stressed the
importance of continued information
visits of Ukrainian officials, students,
journalists to NATO Headquarters and
SHAPE, highlighted the essential role
of the Contact Point Embassy of Poland
in Kyiv, and recalled the indispensable
contribution which had been provided
over the last several years by the
previous Contact Point Embassy of
Canada. The Commission recognized
the growing role of the NATO Information
and Documentation Center in Ukraine
in this process.
The Commission expressed satisfaction
with a successful development of NATO-Ukraine
cooperation in the framework of the
Joint Working Group on Defence reform.
Its meeting at senior level on 5 October
reinvigorated the cooperative process
of the last two years, provided an
opportunity for both sides to outline
concrete steps for NATO-Ukraine cooperation
in this area. This includes making
greater use of the PFP Planning and
Review Process to support Ukraine's
planned defence reform and the opening
of cooperation with the Border Guards
and Ministry of Interior Forces. The
Commission reaffirmed its commitment
to support defense reform in Ukraine
as a key aspect of transformation
in Ukraine. The Commission expressed
its appreciation for the contribution
made by the NATO Liaison Office in
Kyiv to facilitate cooperation in
defense reform and Ukraine's participation
in the Partnership for Peace.
Members of the Commission also positively
assessed the implementation of the
NATO-Ukraine Work Plan for the implementation
of the Charter for 2000 and reviewed
the draft Work Plan for 2001.
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