NSDC expects Ukraine to obtain NATO 'aspirant country' status next summer
KYIV. Dec 18 (Interfax) - Ukraine's National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) expects a positive decision on the matter of the country attaining a new level of NATO partnership as early as summer of 2018.
The most important security issues, including Russia's policy, terrorism, and modernization of the NATO forces, should be discussed at the alliance's summit in summer, NSDC First Deputy Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday.
"I am convinced that the issues of granting Ukraine status as a NATO 'aspirant country' will be discussed at this summit, during the NATO-Ukraine commission. When we reach practical implementation of the decision of the Bucharest summit and our domestic legislation. I hope it will conclude in a positive decision [on] the Ukrainian proposal to grant Ukraine the status of 'an enhanced opportunities partner'," he said.
It envisages adding Ukraine to the group of countries which actually have special relations with the alliance, Lytvynenko said.
"I am referring to Australia, Jordan, Finland, Sweden, and Georgia. All those countries are NATO's very close partners and they use this mechanism to enhance their security and the security of the alliance. Our cooperation corresponds to this level precisely," he said.