NATO reiterates to Ukraine that reforms are needed

BRUSSELS. April 4 (Interfax) - Despite the events taking place in Ukraine, NATO has reiterated to Kiev that reforms are necessary, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

"We encourage Ukraine to continue on the path of reforms even in difficult times," Stoltenberg said at a press conference in Brussels, which is hosting a meeting of the NATO ministers of foreign affairs and a session of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at the ministerial level, on Tuesday.

"We discussed the importance of anti-corruption measures, the rule of law and the rights of minorities," Stoltenberg said.

"Strong independent Ukraine is vital for the stability of the Euro-Atlantic area," he said. The leaders of the NATO member states will meet with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky at the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11-12, he said.

"Ukraine's future is in the Euro-Atlantic family," Stoltenberg said, promising that "NATO will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes."