The meeting of NATO policy and partnerships committee with Ukraine on the European integration took part in NATO HQ.

Director of the European Union Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vsevolod Chentsov briefed the participants of the meeting on the progress in the negotiation process between Ukraine and the EU on Association Agreement, as well as the outcome of the fourteenth meeting of the Cooperation Committee EU - Ukraine.

In his speech representative of MFA stressed that European integration is a constant priority and strategic goal of internal and external policy of Ukraine. In its turn, the NATO-Ukraine cooperation, as well as involving the assistance of member countries to implementation of political, defense and security reforms, which are crucial for national security and are integral components of the European integration of Ukraine, will promote Ukraine's preparations for joining the European Union.

The negotiation process between Ukraine and the EU on Association Agreement was launched in March 2007 and consisted of 21 rounds of negotiations.

21 from 28 member states of North Atlantic Treaty Organization are also the members of the European Union. The other 4 member of EU in particular Austria, Finland, Sweden and Ireland are not only members of the NATO Partnership for Peace programme, but also actively cooperate with NATO, especially in such fields as introduction of “unified” defense reforms, increased interoperability and peace.

The NATO side is now completing the assessment of the Annual National Programme for 2012 which will include a vision of progress in relations between Ukraine and the EU.