New Format? Maybe In May 2004

“In general, the meeting was a success. Ukraine has clearly formulated the results achieved in implementing the Target Plan in 2003. We also presented a draft Plan for 2004. Both NATO and Ukrainian representatives stressed Ukraine’s positive steps on its way to implement the 2003 Plan. First, they stressed the beginning of the defense survey, which envisages a military reform. A dialog has started on reforming not only the Defense Ministry but also military units, in particular the border guards and regular army. Second, Ukraine has passed a number of important laws providing for Euro-Atlantic integration. I mean primarily the laws On the Fundamentals of the National Security and On Public Control of Military Organizations and Law Enforcement Agencies. Moreover, a draft military doctrine has been drafted. Ukraine has taken serious steps on the legislative level to establish the Euro-Atlantic choice strategy. We also successfully carried out a joint project to scrap antipersonnel mines. However, there still remain many problems, which are connected primarily with implementing the defense reform and providing resources for it. I mean reducing the strength of and modernizing our Armed Forces. The NSDC is doing everything possible to ensure it is funded adequately. The President of Ukraine has issued an instruction, whereby defense reform funding should be increased. At present, this question is considered by the Cabinet of Ministers and, in particular by the Finance Ministry.”

“Ukraine has presented its draft Target Plan 2004, which will probably become a continuation of the current Plan. Does this mean that the level of Kyiv’s relations with the Alliance will remain unchanged next year?”

“A new level of cooperation is a strictly political issue. We haven’t summed up the 2003 Plan yet, so I think it is premature to speak about any new level right now. We should first wait for the Ukraine- NATO Committee meetings on the level of defense and foreign ministers scheduled for December, where the results of the Plan will be reviewed. Then we can start talking about the new level. In fact, we are already working within the Membership Action Plan (MAP) format, except that we follow documents with different titles — Action Plan and Target Plan.”

“So, can we expect that Ukraine will join the MAP at the Istanbul summit in May 2004?”

“I think after the Istanbul summit we may receive an offer to join the new format of the relations. But what this format will be depends on Ukraine’s consistent steps in the process of its Euro-Atlantic integration.”

“Is there any essential difference between the current Target Plan and the draft?”

“No. The draft is an extension of the provisions of the Action Plan. As we know, the Action Plan is a basic framework document, while the Target Plan is a schedule for specific measures to implement these basic goals, which have remained unchanged.

The issues in question are democratization of the society, defense reform, stepping up market reforms, legal provisions for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and information support.”

“At the round table on Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration virtually all the foreign ambassadors stressed the importance of the next year’s presidential elections. It seemed that you were seriously worried with this aspect. Is this true?”

“I wanted to hear the ambassadors’ evaluation of these statements, for which reason I asked this question at the round table. They pay so much attention to our elections that I get the impression that these elections will mark, so to say, a turning point in our Euro-Atlantic integration. This is a long- term process. It will continue after 2004 and probably even after 2010. Every year they lay down some conditions for us and say that unless we comply, they may suspend their support. Thus I wanted to hear from them whether the elections might turn into a roadblock on our way to European integration. In general, the ambassadors confirmed that they would assist us. Simultaneously, NATO will closely follow the electoral procedure, since this is a major component of democratization of society.”