Yanukovych And NATO Secretary General Scheffer Discuss Implementation Of Ukraine-NATO Target Plan.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer discussed implementation of the Ukraine-NATO Action and Target Plans. "We should exert all efforts to implement them," Scheffer said. Yanukovych said that the Target Plan, which is designed for this year, outlined the new stage in relations with NATO and Ukraine has started practical preparation for the membership of this organization. For his part, Scheffer said that the main message he brought along was to reaffirm the strategic partnership of Ukraine and NATO with the aim of helping the integration aspirations of Ukraine. Scheffer also noted the peacekeeping contribution of Ukraine and he spoke in favor of a more active stance of Ukraine in discussion of its further participation in the KFOR operation in Kosovo and the operation in Iraq. In March, President Leonid Kuchma signed the decision of the State Council for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration entitled "On Approval of the Ukraine-NATO Target Plan for 2004." The 2004 Plan envisages concrete measures for ensuring a stable economic growth, strengthening of democracy and development of civil society. The Target Plan also included the issue of further reforming of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and deepening of cooperation between Ukraine and NATO countries.
|
