NATO Enhanced Opportunity Partnership: Kyiv relies on Berlin's support

"I raised the issue of Ukraine's participation in NATO Enhanced Opportunity Partnership program. We rely on Germany's support in this matter. This is very important not only for Ukraine but we are also convinced that it is important for strengthening the capacity of the Alliance as a whole," Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said after a meeting with German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Berlin, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He added that most NATO member states share this view.

"We are working to reach a consensus because the decision on Ukraine's participation in NATO Enhanced Opportunity Partnership program is consensual," the diplomat explained.

Kuleba also said that German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer had confirmed full support for Ukraine.

"She said that this meeting allowed her to understand much better what is happening in eastern Ukraine, what security situation is there. And the statement that Germany will support Ukraine's rapprochement with NATO was very clear. This is very important for us," the Foreign Minister stressed.

As reported, in May, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko stated that Ukraine was almost ready to join NATO Enhanced Opportunity Partnership program. He added that "certain home task needs to be done in this area, but the work is well planned."

Former Ukrainian defence minister Andriy Zahorodniuk forecasted that a decision on Ukraine's participation in NATO EOP program could be made in October this year.

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