Olha Stefanishyna and Head of NATO Representation to Ukraine Karen McTear discuss implementation of Vilnius Summit decisions

On Wednesday, 19 July, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna met with the Head of the NATO Representation to Ukraine Karen McTear in Kyiv.

“We see your return to Kyiv as a clear signal of intensified efforts to implement the agreements reached in Vilnius as soon as possible, to deepen cooperation and bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The participants of the meeting focused on the tools for deepening practical cooperation, as defined in the final statement of the NATO Summit held in Vilnius on 11-12 July. In particular, they discussed the preparation of an adapted Annual National Programme (ANP), the implementation of the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) and the functioning of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

“We are building a country that will be a member of the European Union and NATO. Therefore, our aspirations must be supported by real, sustainable solutions that will demonstrate the irreversibility of our transformation. In the context of NATO, it is crucial to focus on such aspects as achieving operational and military interoperability, a multi-year support programme based on the CAP, as well as the political part of the agreements set out in the Summit communiqué,” stressed Olha Stefanishyna.

She noted that for effective cooperation between Ukraine and NATO, it was important to ensure an active dialogue based on the principle of “joint ownership” of the process. “For our part, we are fully prepared to work together to determine how to implement the Summit’s decisions. Our position is that the adapted ANP should become a truly bilateral document,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

She also spoke about the work of the newly established NATO-Ukraine Council, which held its inaugural meeting on the sidelines of the Vilnius Summit.

“I am confident that the format of the Council can provide us with an effective tool for regular interaction with our allies. This will allow us to maintain the positive momentum initiated in Vilnius. Ukraine is interested in making this political body operational as soon as possible,” the official added.