The way forward to special partnership

Four years ago almost to the day the NATO Heads of State and Government and President Kuchma signed the NATO-Ukraine Charter. How has this Special Partnership gone?

Since independence a decade ago, Ukraine’s contribution to European security has been significant. First, its consent to the destruction of its nuclear weapons and its accession to the Non- Proliferation Treaty as a non- nuclear state created a pillar in post-Cold War stability. Second, its consistent policy of good- neighborly relations with all its neighbors, including Poland and Hungary, two of the latest members of NATO, has benefited the region and Europe as a whole.

The resolution of the Crimea and Black Sea Fleet teasers made possible a good partnership with Russia. After the Soviet Union disintegrated few people would have predicted such a quiet transition. In addition, Ukraine’s participation in the NATO-led peace support operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo has been significant, in helping the cause of peace in the war-torn Balkans. Ukraine has won many friends and improved its own security as a result of all these choices.

NATO has appreciated Ukraine’s constructive approach throughout this time, and has responded with a broad range of initiatives, which are now taking place under the umbrella of the NATO-Ukraine Charter. Political consultations take place regularly on a broad range of security-related issues. Our joint work in the field of defense reform is helping Ukraine transform the armed forces it inherited from the Soviet Union into modern forces relevant to the new challenges of the twenty-first century.

The NATO Information and Documentation Center in Kyiv is the first NATO Office to open in a country of the former Soviet Union. Opened in May of 1997, this office works to inform the Ukrainian Government, Parliament, academics, mass media, and citizens about NATO today. Old stereotypes are our target. NATO also has a Liaison Office in Kyiv which helps Ukraine on its participation in the Partnership for Peace Program. This office works with military and other branches of government to improve civil-military relations and parliamentary oversight of defense.

Retraining programs help retired officers to find jobs in the civilian sector. Joint civil emergency planning programs were put to good use in disaster relief in Western Ukraine. Hundreds of Ukrainian scientists participate in NATO’s scientific and environmental programs.

I am proud of the way we have taken Ukraine seriously. The NATO-Ukraine relationship contributes to reinforcing a sovereign, independent, fully democratic, and market-oriented Ukraine. This is certain to be a factor of stability and security in Europe.

NATO is keen to see Ukraine succeed and has high expectations. It might seem at times that NATO expectations are too high and that there is more exacting scrutiny paid to Ukraine’s reforms than other partner countries. The answer is that we do indeed pay special attention to this important country.

Ukraine’s leaders have made it clear they want to integrate their country into Europe. That is a worthy ambition, but involves some tough political, economic, and defense hurdles to get over. Only Ukraine itself can get through the obstacle course, but NATO countries are keen to help.

But friends need to be candid and frank: it is essential that in pursuing this path Ukraine adheres to the high democratic standards, which are the norm among her partners in Europe, the rule of law, and full respect for the freedom of the media are not abstract concepts. They are the best medicine for any short-term hesitations and doubts, which inevitably accompany far-reaching reforms. In pursuing a path toward European integration there can be no democratic shortcuts. The entry rules are based on shared values of pluralist democracy, respect for the rule of law, free and open markets, and press and political freedom.

The new and independent Ukraine ten years ago set out on that path, and hard though it is, it is still the only path to follow. Ukraine has a long history and a troubled one. Its future is easier to map out but painful at times to achieve.

The North Atlantic Alliance, after four years of intensive and distinctive Partnership stands ready to help Ukraine to make its full transition to its European destiny. That will be my message in Kyiv.