New law on national security supported by all NATO partners - Poroshenko

13.08.2018 11:57

Ukrinform

The new law on national security is supported by all partners of Ukraine from the North Atlantic Alliance, President Petro Poroshenko has said on his Facebook page

"The law on Ukraine's national security sets out a strategy for reforming the defense sector of our state. It received approval and support from all of our NATO partners," the head of state said.

As reported, on June 21, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law on Ukraine's national security submitted by the president. A total of 248 MPs voted for this decision.

Poroshenko signed the law on July 5. The new law on national security came into force on July 8.

The law determines the fundamentals and principles of national security and defense, the goals and basic principles of state policy that will guarantee the protection of society and every citizen against threats.

In particular, it clarifies the president's powers regarding strategic management of the National Guard through the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during martial law.

The law stipulates that the defense minister and his deputies will be appointed from among civilians, and it also separates the positions of the chief of the General Staff and the chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is appointed and dismissed by the president upon a motion from the defense minister.

The law also launches the reform of security forces in line with NATO standards. In particular, it changes the status of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) - now it is a special body with law enforcement functions. The main tasks of the SBU are countering intelligence and subversion activities against Ukraine, fighting terrorism, ensuring counterintelligence protection of state sovereignty, constitutional order and territorial integrity, defense and scientific and technical potential, etc.

The document also states that its separate clauses will come into force from January 1, 2019 (regarding the appointment of the defense minister and his deputies from among civilians) and from January 1, 2021 (regarding the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, branches of troops).