NATO will extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when „members agree and conditions are met”, said NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg at the end of the first day of the NATO summit in Vilnius. The statement comes as Moscow warned that Ukraine’s accession to NATO is very dangerous for European security, while NATO members declared Russia the most important and direct threat to the security of the allies and the peace and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area. Jens Stoltenberg:
„We reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. This will change Ukraine’s membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process. We also made it clear that we will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree and conditions are met. This is a strong package for Ukraine and a clear path towards its membership in NATO.”
The NATO secretary general added that the package of actions meant to bring Ukraine closer to NATO also contained two other elements. On the one hand, a new multiannual assistance programme to ensure the transition from Soviet-era standards, training and doctrines to NATO standards, to help rebuild the security and defence sector and meet critical needs such as fuel, demining equipment and medical consumables; and on the other, the creation of a new NATO-Ukraine Council to act as a forum for crisis talks and decision-making and where NATO and Kyiv will meet as equals. Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said Romania was looking forward to the moment when Ukraine becomes an allied country and recalled that the Vilnius summit is important for Romania. The adoption of regional defence plans are a central element that will allow for an effective NATO response to two major threats: Russia and terrorism. Klaus Iohannis:
„Romania will obtain the further consolidation of the eastern flank. Romania will obtain a regional plan for the Black Sea region and Romania will have a very concrete plan for the brigade that is already stationed here as a battlegroup, all of which are very important measures. And I believe Romania will obtain even more, more attention being paid to the Black Sea region, including to Moldova, which is very vulnerable, not to mention the situation of Ukraine, with which we stand united ready to help and looking forward to the moment when it becomes an allied state.”
Romania’s president also hailed the agreement between Sweden and Turkey and said it marks much awaited progress with respect to Sweden’s accession to NATO.
Sorin Titus Iordan, Radio Romania International
