Ukraine to develop security cooperation with both NATO and EU - Stefanishyna

Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said this at a meeting with reporters following the talks at NATO Headquarters.

"I don’t think it makes sense to form a unique stable position on these processes [...]. The European Commission continues to form strategic directions in the security and defense sector. It is important. Ukraine is trying to join the initiatives. Cooperation within NATO is also a priority in terms of the security and defense sector reform based on Alliance standards. However, we also cooperate with the European Defense Agency on the issues where it is possible to cooperate, in the context of information exchange, theoretical exercises and training. That is, such a dialogue exists [between the two sides]. However, this is rather a non-political dialogue,” Stefanishyna said, when asked by an Ukrinform correspondent whether the Ukrainian government had a stable political position on the EU's desire for "strategic autonomy" and the need to maintain strong transatlantic ties.

As reported by Ukrinform, members of the NATO-Ukraine Commission met at the level of ambassadors in Brussels on July 8. They discussed further steps in the practical context of cooperation, in particular, taking into account Ukraine's new status as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner.

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