11:33 11.07.2016

NATO agrees comprehensive assistance package for Ukraine to strengthen its security

3 min read
NATO agrees comprehensive assistance package for Ukraine to strengthen its security

NATO at the summit in Warsaw has agreed a comprehensive package of assistance to Ukraine for strengthening its security sector, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko in Warsaw on Saturday.

NATO is helping both with a council and with the target support aimed at making the armed forces and defense institutions of Ukraine more efficient and more accountable.

It is the basis of the package which was agreed at the summit. The Trust Fund established at the previous summit will provide logistical support, help in the fight against cyber threats, as well as the rehabilitation of wounded military servicemen, he said.

In addition, they will help in the fight with a hybrid war and the threat of improvised explosive devices, Stoltenberg said.

The security in Ukraine is the key to the security in NATO, and the Alliance is ready to help Ukraine with this, the secretary general summed up.

The joint statement of the NATO-Ukraine Commission passed at the summit in Warsaw describes the cooperation between Ukraine and the Alliance and lists the aims of the comprehensive assistance package (CAP).

"NATO's level of engagement with Ukraine since 2014, both at the political level and in terms of practical work, has been unprecedented. NATO will continue to engage in a close political dialogue in the framework of the NATO-Ukraine Commission and support Ukraine in carrying out its ambitious reform agenda, including by making the best use of the Annual National Program, the Planning and Review Process and the CAP," the document reads.

The package aim is to consolidate and enhance NATO's assistance aimed at helping Ukraine to become more resilient, to better provide for its own security and to carry out needed reforms, including in the security and defense sector.

According to the statement, the assistance package envisages the continued cooperation to advance and implement strategic reforms. It contains more than 40 areas where NATO will support Ukraine in reforms conducted by the Ukrainian government. "Allies will continue their support to Ukraine through the NATO Representation to Ukraine, as well as bilaterally providing advice and support particularly for Ukraine's defense and security structures, based on NATO standards and principles, including the civilian democratic control of the Armed Forces and to achieve interoperability with NATO," the document says.

In addition, the commission welcomed the adoption of the Strategic Defense Bulletin which will serve as Ukraine's defense reform roadmap.

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