The Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly was held in Luxembourg on 17-20 May 2013.

Besides permanent and associate members of the NATO PA, the event was attended by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies President Laurent Mosar and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker.

Members of Ukrainian Parliament’s permanent delegation to NATO, led by MP Volodymyr Oliynyk,  and Head of Ukrainian Mission to NATO, Ambassador Ihor Dolhov  took part in the session.

On May 17, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen addressed the session during the joint meeting of the North Atlantic Council and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in the plenary format. In his speech he focused on the progress of the ongoing ISAF mission and plans for a new NATO-led mission in Afghanistan. On the issue of cooperation with the Alliance partners, the Secretary General emphasized the successful continuation of constructive partnership with Ukraine, including within the NATO-Ukraine Commission. He also confirmed that NATO fully respected Ukraine’s free decision to pursue a non-alliance policy.

On May 18-19, the Assembly’s work continued in the framework of committees.

On May 20, members of the Ukrainian Parliament’s permanent delegation to NATO participated in the Assembly’s Standing Committee meeting, where inter alia latest trends in Ukraine’s internal political processes were discussed. Participants in the discussion, which was held in a constructive manner, took positive note of Ukraine’s progress in the fulfilment of the EU’s recommendations in the context of preparation for the signing of the Association Agreement.