Friday, May 7, 2010

NATO: Ukraine consistent in its military cooperation with NATO

May 7, 2010 KYIV (UKRINFORM). Ukraine is consistent in its military cooperation with NATO, and NATO allies are "on the same frequency," Chairman of NATO's Military Committee, Italian Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola said at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday following a two-day session of the NATO Chiefs of Defense.
While commenting on a question posed by an UKRINFORM correspondent regarding the assessment of Ukraine's readiness to participate in the NATO Response Force, he said that there had been "a very extensive presentation" on this issue by Chief of General Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Army General Ivan Svyda.
"What he [Ivan Svyda] said is continuity in relation to partnership with the alliance. We're working with the Ukrainian armed forces on the basis on this continuity, and cooperation is very active. Therefore, despite the political situation, Ukraine will continue to cooperate with NATO, and this was mentioned not only by the chief of general staff, but also by Ukraine's political leadership. And, of course, the alliance is on the same frequency, one the same tune," Di Paola said.
He stressed that Ukraine remained the only partner who participated in all NATO-led operations, and would now make its contribution to the NATO Response Force.
"The Ukrainian units trained for participation in the Response Force at the beginning of the second half of 2010 and in the next round of the NRF really have a high level of professionalism," Di Paola said.
The admiral also recalled that at a meeting of the NATO Chiefs of Defense, Ukraine had signed a memorandum of understanding on air situation data exchange with NATO through Turkish partners, which was also the evidence of active cooperation between the parties.

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