At the Signing Ceremony of the NATO- Ukraine Charter Madrid 9 July 1997 Revised version

Opening Statement by the president of Ukraine, H.E. Kuchma Minister Secretary General, Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen: I would like to thank the leaders of Spain and of its beautiful capital for a businesslike and, at the same time warm atmosphere, that surrounds our work. Madrid of 1997 will undoubtedly go down in history as a city where the dividing line left by the Cold War in the very centre of Europe, is eliminated. Yesterday a decision was made to invite to the membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization the Polish Republic, Hungary and the Czech Republic - democratic countries, close neighbours and partners of Ukraine. Today is of particular significance too. Right after the ceremony the Euro-Atlantic Cooperation Council's session will start. This new forum of deepened cooperation will enable us all to work closer together in the political field and will provide for a new approach in the realization of the Partnership for Peace programme. In a few minutes the Charter on Special Cooperation between Ukraine and NATO will be signed. This historic document is going to be another convincing piece of evidence that the new security architecture, based on openness and partnership, is steadily being constructed in the European continent. In the conclusion of the Charter, the deep internal transformation of the North Atlantic Alliance is reflected, as well as the democratic course of Ukraine and its real gains in integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures. I am convinced that these processes will go on and on in parallel. As large a country as Ukraine by European standards feels that it is an integral part of the Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and is ready to take part in providing peace and stability in these regions and in the continent in general. The formation of a favourable international environment gives us an opportunity to focus on resolving the topical internal problems, first of all by continuing profound transformations in our economy. These processes are gaining a new, powerful momentum and are acquiring even more dynamism. Ladies and gentlemen, in the course of negotiating this Charter, not all the desires of Ukraine have been taken into account, but despite that, we have good reasons to be satisfied with the achieved result. At the end of the day, we do not consider it final but rather a transitional one. We have a lot of work in common to be done in the future. I would like to thank you, esteemed Secretary General Mr. Javier Solana, and the leaders of all the Alliance's member states for having supported the idea of establishing a special partnership between Ukraine and NATO and finalizing it in the Charter. Political will and sense, demonstrated by all the participants in the preparation of the Charter,allow us to affirm the following: Europe has changed and it is only through joint efforts that security in the content can be guaranteed. From now on, Ukraine and NATO are going to work together to that end. In the context of the radical changes in the "European house" I cannot help but mention such an important event in the development of the international security, as the conclusion of the NATO-Russia Founding Act. We welcome the relationship of cooperation and understanding set up between Russia and NATO and think that gradual and open development of that relationship is going to be speeded up. In particular, I would like to emphasize the fact that integrity and comprehension of European security for Ukraine are not only principles that could be declared. From the point of view of our country's national security, they have real practical dimension. Ukrainian nation's history of many centuries, a lot of pages of which have recently been written with blood and human tragedies, is re-entering the route of stability and civilization. That is why since the first day of the restoration of Ukraine's independence, the strictest observance of the principle of inviolability of borders has been of utmost significance to us and continues to be so. Last May-June we had in fact completed the process of their confirmation as international law, which is of great importance not only to our country. The changes, which have taken place in the relations between NATO and other countries are the accomplishments, preventing from repetition the past divisions of the continent. All these together with the effective peacekeeping activity of NATO in former Yugoslavia, the stabilizing role of the Alliance in Central, Eastern and Southeastern parts of Europe have proved that the level of security has not decreased as a result of the enlargement of NATO. On the contrary, the relations between the candidates and their neighbours have been normalised. And what now, after Madrid? We have all reasons to hope that increasing openness, development of partnership and cooperation, and joint protection of common values, will become the key principles of European security. Thus, the doors of European and transatlantic institutions should remain open to all countries which would like to join them and meet the corresponding criteria. We shall be able to respond to the challenges of the 21st century with dignity, on condition that every state assumes responsibility for its own contribution to international security. Ukraine has made its choice and is ready together with NATO member countries and the Alliance partners to take an active part in the construction of a secure future for Europe. And thus, for the whole world. Thank you for your attention.