NATO HQ 30 Sept. 2003

Joint Point de Presse by NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Mr. Gryshchenko Lord Robertson: Thank you. I'm delighted to welcome here today the new Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Minister Gryshchenko. I've congratulated him on taking on his new position here, a very onerous position to represent his country. Of course, he is no stranger here. It's as though he had been here five minutes ago. He was here as Ambassador to NATO when I arrived through these doors. And now, just as I am about to leave these doors, he's back as Foreign Minister of his country. So he is a knowledgeable man on NATO issues and a friend of the organisation, and a friend of many of the people in here as well. NATO-Ukraine relations are in very good shape today. Mr. Marchuk, Yevhen Marchuk is now the Minister of Defence and a civilian in charge of Ukraine's military, and somebody that we know well here as the former Secretary of the Security Council. He's got a big job to do in defence reform, in terms of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but we're ready to help. And of course, we've got action plans which are already in place. The implementation of the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan and the Annual Target Plan are the blueprints for the reform and modernisation of Ukraine's military and we're helping as much as we can with that process. But of course, the bulk of the work has to be done by Ukraine itself because it's in the interest of Ukraine too. So, our relationship will continue to develop as the reform process, economic, political and military, goes ahead. And I'm looking forward very much to visiting Ukraine at the end of this month for what will be my farewell visit as Secretary General, but which will be also an interesting and full business call as well. I have to say that my farewell calls involve saying less about farewell and more about what more needs to be done for my successor when he eventually arrives here as well. So, he's a Foreign Minister about to become Secretary General. Here, we have an Ambassador who became Foreign Minister. I don't know where that ends (inaudible). Kostyantyn Gryshchenko: Yes. Well thank you. Today's meeting was an important one for me because returning back to NATO headquarters brings back the memories, but not only memories. It also brings the feeling of responsibility for the challenges that Ukraine must meet to achieve its goal, to be a full-fledged NATO member. We have already taken upon ourselves a lot of responsibilities that I believe we are meeting with success. Maybe not perfect success, but we are very much committed to see through the whole program of our approximation to the standards of NATO membership. NATO today is an organisation that provides security and stability, not only in the area of its direct responsibility, but is a positive influence around the globe. From this perspective, it is crucial for Ukraine and NATO relationship to develop on ascending mode. And I would like to thank the Secretary General for his consistent attention to Ukraine, to his positive attitude, though at times it was rather critical, but never, I believe, he lost the sight of the importance of Ukraine and its willingness to be a friend of NATO, its member states. And I would like to reconfirm that we are looking forward with certain trepidation for your visit to Ukraine, to Kiev, because so many memories will be hold back, but also the prospects of new, improved, enlarged relationship will also be discussed in Kiev. Thank you. Questions and answers Q: My question is for Mr. Robertson. What do you think about the current reforms since the Ukrainian Army... do you see some problems in this field? Lord Robertson: Well, the reforms in the army have been seen as part of the general reform process, started off by the two previous defence ministers. They will require tough political decisions to be taken, some pretty tough military decisions as well. But the process has started. It is going well, but there are still many more tough decisions that will have to be taken by Minister Marchuk before the Ukrainian Armed Forces come up to the standard that the people of Ukraine need at this stage. NATO simply gives help and advice, but the job of defence reform in Ukraine is a matter for Ukrainians, for Ukrainians. But unreformed militaries are a drain on the national budget and on the taxpayers' pocket. So, it makes a lot of sense for these reforms to take place. But I'd also like to congratulate and commend Ukraine for the deployment of its Armed Forces. The Ukrainian Forces are helping Poland in Iraq, and Poland of course has the command of the Division South-Central with NATO support, a major decision by NATO. So, we very much welcome the fact that Ukraine has stood by its Polish ally at this time and is providing so many good, professional soldiers. And that, frankly, is what my priority is and should be the Ukrainian priority as well: more professional and deployable soldiers to deal with the trouble spots that we all are going to have to face with in the future. Q: And what did you discuss today? Okay, I understand that you will say about the bilateral relationship and so on, relations and so on, but what concrete results you have after the meeting? Lord Robertson: Well, what we've done is to review the progress that we're making in our relationship and to talk about the way in which we will develop these things in the future, about what will be discussed during my visit when I get there and what the new minister's own agenda is in relation to Euro-Atlantic integration. No surprises in our agenda today. We have a good, solid, working relationship, a distinctive partnership which is both distinctive and a partnership. And I think it goes from strength to strength. And I'm looking forward to the Minister... After I've been to Kiev, he will be back here for the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission in the first week of December, two days after Minister Marchuk will be here for the Defence... NATO-Ukraine Commission.