Ostap Semerak: Ukraine to have no secrets from our NATO friends

On October 1, the Government has taken a number of decisions that facilitate the access to a range of state secrets for the Group of NATO advisors, said Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Ostap Semerak at a briefing at the Government House following the government session.

The Minister reminded that during the meeting of Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk with the NATO Secretary General it was agreed upon that the NATO Group would arrive to Ukraine in order to help domestic law enforcement effectively reform the security sector as well as the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This Group has already arrived and works in Ukraine.

According to Ostap Semerak, today's decision of the Government shall ensure the development of relations with the Group of Friends of Ukraine in NATO. It is, in particular, the possibility of giving the access to a range of secret data for NATO experts.

"The Government has considered and approved a number of draft laws and regulations that govern our relations with NATO experts and enable them to get the access and work freely with documents at the premises both in and without the presence of accompanying persons," the Minister underlined.

According to the Minister, the development of cooperation with "NATO Friends" is particularly relevant today. He noted that despite the declared truce, Ukraine is in the state of escalating conflict with Russia: clashes with militants continue, and civilians are being shelling by terrorists. This is confirmed by the message from Ukraine's Western partners, arguing that Russian troops are not leaving the territory of Ukraine, and are at the borders of our country. He recalled that the United States in the face of State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki urged Russia and militants to immediately withdraw all troops from the territory of Ukraine.