ISTANBUL - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Sheffer said on Tuesday that NATO-Ukraine relations had been progressing further on the basis of values of the Alliance.
Holding a press conference together with President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine following the NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting held under the 17th NATO Summit in Istanbul, Sheffer said, ``Ukraine`s ultimate success in this effort is in the interest of everyone represented at this table. Allies recognize and appreciate this.``
Noting that they had held a very important and comprehensive meeting, Sheffer said that NATO`s values were shared by all.
Stressing that NATO-Ukraine relations had been progressing further on the basis of values of the Alliance, Sheffer told reporters that Ukraine was loyal to the values of the Alliance.
Sheffer added that NATO attributed importance to democracy, fair elections, freedom of press and expression in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, President Kuchma of Ukraine said in his part that besides military and technical cooperation, many other important issues were discussed at the meeting, and that a sound ground was established for development of NATO-Ukraine relations and cooperation.
Upon a question, President Kuchma said that any certain date was not set for NATO membership of Ukraine.
He added that Ukraine`s economic development and reconstruction of public institutions would have an important impact in NATO membership of Ukraine.
(UK-AÖ) 29.06.2004