U.S. Defense Secretary urges Ukraine to adopt national security law as soon as possible
U.S. Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis has called on the Ukrainian authorities to adopt the law on national security of Ukraine as soon as possible.
"He [Mattis] cited the Law on National Security as an urgent priority, and expressed his hope that the Presidential Administration and Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, take swift action and pass legislation that ensures a solid legal basis for the implementation of defense reforms in support of a secure and democratic Ukraine," the Pentagon website reported on the results of Mattis' meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak on Friday, February 2.
Secretary Mattis emphasized the value of the U.S.-Ukraine security partnership. "He praised Minister Poltorak for his country's sustained courage in the face of Russian aggression, and reiterated U.S. support for Ukrainian defense reform goals," the Pentagon website reported.
The two ministers pledged to strengthen a lasting partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine built on common security interests and shared principles.
As reported, on January 17, the National Security and Defense Council discussed and approved the draft law on Ukraine's national security, which should lay groundwork for drafting and upgrading the national security and defense legislation.
According to NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov, the law on Ukraine's national security should summarize all the reforms of the country's security and defense sector that have already been implemented and are to be implemented, as well as combine not only the basic foundations of national security, but also the issues of democratic civilian control and the principles of planning in these spheres.
He said that the bill was aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the activity of all elements of the security and defense sector in accordance with the norms and standards of NATO and the EU. "The speedy adoption of this bill should be an important element in the sphere of protecting Ukrainian statehood and counteracting Russian aggression," Turchynov said.
