The NATO Representation to Ukraine has initiated the cooperation with the Ministry for Veterans Affairs aimed at introducing a comprehensive approach to vocational re-adaptation of the militaries leaving the Service.

Today, 4 November, this subject has been discussed during the meeting with NATO Representation to Ukraine representatives for setting up a system of military career transition under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine on European Integration Oleksiy Illiashenko.

NATO-Ukraine Resettlement Programme held for the past 20 years has had a comprehensible result: more than 11,500 military servicemen benefited from the programme, with overall re-employment rate at 70%.

With the outbreak of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the issue of veterans, namely their vocational adjustment, has gained a higher significance. That is why to create the program presented today, it was analyzed governmental work for veterans in-depth as well as studied thoughts and ideas of the Ukrainian defenders on organizing, financing and guiding the state support program for the Service leavers.

According to Christopher Staudt, Programme Manager/NATO-Ukraine MCT Trust Fund Team Leader, the innovation involves improving the existing structure of veterans resettlement and integrating it into respective governmental institutions for harmonious work with veterans.

 “The Ukrainian Service leavers deserve to be treated fairly. An important component of this attitude is the availability of a respectable job. The proposed system provides for, among other things, the start of its implementation some time prior to retirement. Thus, in entering civilian life, the demobilized military will already be competitive in the labour market. The Ministry for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine is given the role of the main coordinator in this process,” noted Christopher Staudt.

According to Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Oleksiy Illiashenko, such NATO-Ukraine initiative fully meets the objectives set out in the Government's Action Program relating to the concept of military career transition.

“One of the Government's roadmap items is the empowerment of veterans and their families for successful reintegration into society. Therefore, the proposal of the NATO Representation to Ukraine appears topical to the Ministry,” emphasized Oleksiy Illiashenko.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue consultations for the system of military career transition. Upon studying proposals and observations of the ministries and agencies concerned, the Ministry will issue a respective decision.