Honcharuk, U.S. officials discuss Ukraine's integration into NATO

05.12.2019 15:43

Ukrinform

Ukraine has made significant progress in implementing the standards of the North Atlantic Alliance and hopes for U.S. support in getting the status of a participant in NATO's Enhanced Opportunities Partnership.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk said this at a meeting with U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent on December 4, according to the website of the Ukrainian government.

"It is important to maintain the dynamics of bilateral dialogue between our countries and further strengthen strategic partnership in areas of mutual interest. In particular, Ukraine expects U.S. support in the process of getting the status of a participant in NATO's Enhanced Opportunities Partnership. Ukraine has made significant progress in implementing the standards of the Alliance and is continuing to work actively on the necessary changes," Honcharuk said.

He also thanked the United States for the continued support of Ukraine's territorial integrity.

In addition, he raised the issue of construction of the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2. The prime minister stressed the importance of applying sanctions in the context of the pipeline construction: "This project is purely political. It poses a real threat to the energy security of the European region and significantly strengthens Gazprom's position in Central and Eastern Europe."

The parties also discussed energy cooperation. Honcharuk expressed interest in the purchase of U.S. liquefied gas, as well as in developing cooperation in the field of nuclear energy.

Trade relations between Ukraine and the United States were also discussed. Honcharuk said he hoped for an increase in trade between Ukraine and the United States. In this context, he stressed that the Ukrainian government has a clear intention to take steps to protect intellectual property rights in Ukraine.

He also added: "We are grateful to the U.S. for resuming the effect of trade preferences for Ukrainian goods that were withdrawn from the Generalized System of Preferences in 2018. We hope that Ukraine's future achievements in the field of intellectual property rights will lead to expanding the list of Ukrainian goods subject to U.S. trade preferences."