Allies discuss Ukraine bid
Güncelleme Tarihi:
AP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 21, 2009 00:00
KRAKOW - NATO defense ministers sought Friday to find ways to keep the door open to Ukraine's membership, despite opposition from Russia over the alliance's perceived encroachment into what Moscow considers its historical sphere of influence.
Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said NATO would stick by its commitment to help Ukraine undertake "comprehensive reforms" in its defense and security structures and indicated the alliance was still considering ways to let Ukraine join.
Before a closed-door meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Yury Yekhanurov and ministers from the other members, de Hoop Scheffer said NATO officials were considering "ways in which the alliance can continue to support its preparations for NATO membership" for Ukraine. At a summit in Romania last year, NATO decided to offer Ukraine and Georgia a so-called "membership action plan" to prepare them to become members. But faced with opposition from Russia NATO has backed away from establishing a plan for the two former Soviet nations.
Russian concerns
A day before the talks on Georgia and Ukraine, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates addressed other issues at the core of recent row between Washington and Moscow - and Obama's attempts to improve ties as it seeks greater Russian support for its mission in Afghanistan. Gates said on Friday Russian concerns will be taken into consideration as the Obama administration decides the fate of planned missile defense bases in Eastern Europe.
He also added Obama's team has not yet decided whether to continue the Bush administration's plans to put bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. Washington said the sites are meant to defend the U.S. and EU from possible missile launches from the Mideast.
Before a closed-door meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Yury Yekhanurov and ministers from the other members, de Hoop Scheffer said NATO officials were considering "ways in which the alliance can continue to support its preparations for NATO membership" for Ukraine. At a summit in Romania last year, NATO decided to offer Ukraine and Georgia a so-called "membership action plan" to prepare them to become members. But faced with opposition from Russia NATO has backed away from establishing a plan for the two former Soviet nations.
Russian concerns
A day before the talks on Georgia and Ukraine, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates addressed other issues at the core of recent row between Washington and Moscow - and Obama's attempts to improve ties as it seeks greater Russian support for its mission in Afghanistan. Gates said on Friday Russian concerns will be taken into consideration as the Obama administration decides the fate of planned missile defense bases in Eastern Europe.
He also added Obama's team has not yet decided whether to continue the Bush administration's plans to put bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. Washington said the sites are meant to defend the U.S. and EU from possible missile launches from the Mideast.