FM Paet: NATO Foreign Ministers Encouraged Ukraine and Georgia to Continue Making Reforms Towards NATO
04.12.2009
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet is participating in a meeting of the
NATO foreign ministers in Brussels today, 3 December, where meetings of
the NATO-Ukraine and NATO-Georgia commissions also took place.
The NATO foreign ministers emphasised the decision made at the
Bucharest summit and re-confirmed at the Strasbourg/Kehl summit
regarding the future NATO membership of Ukraine and Georgia and
encouraged Kiev and Tbilisi to continue making reforms. Foreign
Minister Paet recognised Ukraine and Georgia for successfully
completing the first year of the Annual National Plan (ANP) regardless
of difficult economic conditions.
At the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, the foreign ministers
discussed the current state of NATO-Ukraine partnership and future
goals.
Foreign Minister Paet stated that the NATO foreign ministers encouraged
Ukraine to intensify its reform activity and improve the implementation
of the NATO Membership Action Plan. “Ukraine should use the NATO action
plan and the NATO-Ukraine Commission as much as possible in order to
advance its reforms on the way to joining the alliance,” Paet stressed.
“Estonia will help and support Ukraine however it can to ensure
Ukraine’s smooth integration into NATO,” he added. The ministers also
recognised Ukraine’s contribution to NATO operations.
At the meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission, the NATO foreign
ministers recognised Georgia for implementing reforms and called on the
nation to continue to do so.
Paet stated that the NATO foreign ministers emphasised that
NATO-Georgia relations are based upon the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Georgia. “These principles and the non-recognition of the
separation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are key elements to resolving
the conflicts in the South Caucasus,” stressed Paet, calling on the
parties to the negotiations in Geneva to continue working to achieve a
peaceful solution and fulfil their responsibilities. Paet stated that
access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia for international monitors and
humanitarian aid workers is essential. In addition, Foreign Minister
Paet recognised Georgia for its contribution to NATO operations.
Tonight the NATO foreign ministers will discuss Montenegro and Bosnia
and Herzegovina’s chances for receiving NATO Membership Action Plans.
Tomorrow the topic of discussion will be the future of the Afghanistan
mission and NATO-Russia relations.
SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE
+372 637 7654
+372 521 3085
pressitalitus@mfa.ee
 
|
