Ukraine's NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner status granted to Ukraine on 12 June cannot hamper Ukraine's progress towards a NATO Membership Action Plan and direct membership in the Alliance. This was announced by Olha Stefanyshyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, during an interview with the Yevropeiska Pravda (The European Truth) edition.

"I want us to audit the effectiveness of the Annual National Program this year, within the framework of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, to reveal "stumbling blocks" in this direction and to plan our advancement from next year," stressed Olha Stefanyshyna.

The Deputy Prime Minister outlined steps that will allow for the implementation of reforms needed to meet the criteria for NATO membership, including strengthening democracy and the rule of law, which would change the paradigm of activities of the special services and law enforcement agencies in Ukraine.

"Given we have a program and a coordination mechanism, we have a common understanding that over time, these reforms must be implemented," said Olha Stefanyshyna.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, NATO currently expects Ukraine to adopt five fundamental laws. Among those are the law on parliamentary oversight of the activities of special services and law enforcement agencies, the reform of the SBU, the law on intelligence, defense procurement and the law on state secret, which is being elaborated.