The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) held its 31st summit in Brussels today. Following the meeting, the Alliance leaders issued a communique, in which they confirmed the possibility for Ukraine to receive Membership Action Plan (MAP).
“We reiterate the decision made at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance with the Membership Action Plan (MAP) as an integral part of the process; we reaffirm all elements of that decision, as well as subsequent decisions, including that each partner will be judged on its own merits,” the document states.
The NATO summit communiqué also calls on Ukraine to move towards joining the North Atlantic Bloc by implementing further reforms.
“Ukraine should make full use of all instruments available under the NUC to reach its objective of implementing NATO principles and standards. The success of wide-ranging, sustainable, and irreversible reforms, including combating corruption, promoting an inclusive political process, and decentralisation reform, based on democratic values, respect for human rights, minorities, and the rule of law, will be crucial in laying the groundwork for a prosperous and peaceful Ukraine. Further reforms in the security sector, including the reform of the Security Services of Ukraine, are particularly important. We welcome significant reforms already made by Ukraine and strongly encourage further progress in line with Ukraine’s international obligations and commitments,” the text of the communiqué reads.
According to the document, NATO leaders stand firm in their support for Ukraine’s right to decide its own future and foreign policy course free from outside interferenceand will continue to provide practical support and assistance.