Estonian parliament issues statement in support of Ukraine's NATO membership

TALLINN. May 17 (Interfax) - The Estonian parliament issued a statement in support of Ukraine's accession to NATO on Wednesday, with 92 of the 101 parliamentarians voting in favor.

"Estonia, together with other Baltic States, has always expressed its support to Ukraine in joining NATO and considers it necessary to plan concrete steps for Ukraine's accession to the organization at NATO Summit in Vilnius on 11-12 July," the parliament's press service said in comments.

The statement describes Ukraine's accession to NATO as the only way to ensure the rules-based world order and security of the democratic countries of Europe.

The Estonian parliament called for formulating specific and unambiguous steps necessary for Ukraine's rapid integration into NATO and granting Ukraine an invitation to join the alliance at the summit.