Xinhua News Agency
December 16, 2014
NATO pledges support to Ukraine
BRUSSELS: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday pledged “ongoing political and practical support” to Ukraine when meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk at NATO Headquarters, according a statement posted on NATO official website.
The Secretary General praised Ukraine’s commitment to its partnership with NATO despite challenging circumstances.
“Your visit just underlines the strong partnership between NATO and Ukraine. We also very much appreciate that we are able to develop our partnership. And especially because the people of Ukraine have chosen the path of democracy and closer cooperation with Europe,” Stoltenberg said.
The Secretary General said that five trust funds created by NATO to help Ukraine improve its own security are now up and running.
“They aim to make Ukraine’s defense forces more modern, more transparent, and more effective”, the Secretary General said. “NATO fully supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
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http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_116035.htm
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
December 15, 2014
Secretary General tells Ukrainian Prime Minister ”NATO stands with you”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the Alliance’s efforts to support Ukraine’s government with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk at NATO Headquarters on Monday (15 December 2014). The Secretary General praised Ukraine’s commitment to its partnership with NATO despite challenging circumstances, and pledged ongoing political and practical support.
“Your visit just underlines the strong partnership between NATO and Ukraine. We also very much appreciate that we are able to develop our partnership. And especially because the people of Ukraine have chosen the path of democracy and closer cooperation with Europe”, Mr. Stoltenberg said. “And we welcome that. We underline that the decision by the people of Ukraine has to be respected.”
The Secretary General said that five trust funds created by NATO to help Ukraine improve its own security are now up and running. “They aim to make Ukraine’s defence forces more modern, more transparent, and more effective”, the Secretary General said. NATO’s contributions are in addition to bilateral support provided separately by Allies.
Russia’s continued actions to destabilise Ukraine were also discussed. “Mr. Prime Minister, you have shown a real desire to find a peaceful solution to this crisis”, the Secretary General said. “NATO fully supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”. Calling the Minsk agreements “the best way to a peaceful solution,” Mr. Stoltenberg praised Ukraine’s efforts to implement the accords, and called on Russia to do the same.
Mr. Stoltenberg underlined that a sovereign and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law, is key to Euro-Atlantic security. “NATO will stand by you as you work towards that goal,” he said.