22 October 2001
Text: NATO-Ukraine Commission Reiterates Solidarity with U.S.
(Statement following ambassadorial session Oct. 22) (500)
The NATO-Ukraine Commission has reiterated its solidarity with the
United States in the fight against terrorism and has welcomed
Ukraine's offer to join the global anti-terror coalition, according to
a statement issued after the commission met in ambassadorial session
at NATO Headquarters October 22.
The allies expressed their appreciation for Ukraine's decision to open
its airspace to overflights by U.S. aircraft, "and its statement that
it believed NATO's invocation of Article 5 in response to the attacks
to be completely valid."
Following is the text of the NATO statement with additional details of
the ambassadorial session:
(begin text)
NATO Press Releases
Brussels
22 October 2001
STATEMENT: MEETING OF THE NATO-UKRAINE COMMISSION IN AMBASSADORIAL
SESSION
The NATO-Ukraine Commission met in Ambassadorial session at NATO
Headquarters on 22 October. The Commission reviewed developments in
European security, both in the context of the Balkans and of the
aftermath of the terrorist attacks against the USA on 11 September.
The Commission reiterated its solidarity with the United States of
America and welcomed Ukraine's offer to join the efforts of the
international community in the combat against international terrorism.
Ambassadors discussed possible avenues of deepening NATO-Ukraine
cooperation in this field. Allies also expressed their appreciation of
Ukraine's decision to open its airspace for overflight by US aircraft,
and its statement that it believed NATO's invocation of Article 5 in
response to the attacks to be completely valid.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to peace, stability,
democracy and interethnic dialogue in the Balkans, and called on all
parties to work together towards these goals. With regard to the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(1), NATO and Ukraine agreed on
the importance of promoting a successful outcome of the peace process.
Ambassadors also stressed the urgent need for the completion of the
parliamentary ratification of the General Framework Agreement.
In their assessment of the implementation of the NATO-Ukraine Work
Plan for 2001, members of the Commission welcomed the continuing
practice of high level reciprocal visits, as well as the wide range of
political and expert consultations, which are a traditional feature of
our Partnership. The NATO-Ukraine Commission also underlined the
substantial enhancement of NATO-Ukraine cooperative activities in
defense reform, military cooperation, science, technology,
environmental protection, economics and civil emergency planning.
Ambassadors commended the work of both the NATO Information and
Documentation Centre and the NATO Liaison Office in Kyiv, and agreed
to actively support them in fulfilling their respective missions.
The substantial progress made by the Joint Working Group on Defence
Reform (JWGDR) was noted with satisfaction, and the Ambassadors look
forward to the results of the second meeting of the JWGDR at senior
level, planned for October 25 2001.
Ambassadors expressed their hope that in the coming year NATO and
Ukraine will work even closer in their efforts towards enhancing
Euro-Atlantic security.
(1) Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia under its
constitutional name.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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