Work on declaration of NATO summit is being completed, there will be clear "positive and strong message" regarding Ukraine’s path to Alliance, - Stoltenberg
Allies are finalizing work on the summit’s final declaration regarding Ukraine, which will clearly spell out a "positive and strong message" regarding its path to membership in the Alliance.
This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Censor.NET reports with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.
"In a few hours, you will see the language (of the declaration). We are currently finalizing the communiqué where we will have (specified) language (on the prospect of membership). I have already said something about the elements that I believe will be there, but it's the leaders who will approve the communiqué, and then you can read what is specifically written there. But what I can say is that there will be a positive and strong message about Ukraine and its path forward to membership," he explained.
The Secretary-General recalled that he presented these "elements" mentioned by him in May at an informal meeting of foreign ministers in Oslo in a package "how to move forward with regard to membership."
"This is a package with three elements: the first is to strengthen practical support by creating a multi-year support program so that Ukrainian armed forces are fully compatible with NATO armed forces. This is the first element.
The second element is to strengthen political ties through the creation of the Ukraine-NATO Council - I expect the inaugural meeting to take place tomorrow. This will be a new body, within the framework of which we will meet as equals - Ukraine and NATO allies. The third element of the package was about removing the requirement to go through the implementation of the Membership Action Plan because Ukraine has come a long way since we decided in 2008 that the next step would be the MAP. "Ukraine is currently closer to NATO, and I think it's time to reflect this in NATO's decisions," he again explained the essence of his proposals.
