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Head of NATO Representation and NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine, Alexander Vinnikov, says that the Alliance seeks to deepen dialogue with the new Ukrainian authorities.

Speaking at the "Ukraine-NATO: What's on the Negotiating Table?" discussion panel in Kyiv Monday, he said that next week, Oct 30-31, the NATO Council, led by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, will be visiting Ukraine, according to an UNIAN correspondent.

Vinnikov told attendees that the main purpose of the visit will be to send a solid signal of support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, with particular attention paid to the Black Sea, and also of support to the process of reform.

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The NATO Council will be visiting Odesa and Kyiv. The agenda for the Odesa day will include joint events with the Ukraine Navy and the Odesa Maritime Academy National University. Also, a group of NATO warships will call at the Odesa port.

According to Vinnikov, this will be a signal of support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and its rights to free navigation in its territorial waters.

At the same time, the head of the NATO Representation said that the main element of the visit would be about developing cooperation with the new Ukrainian authorities as the Alliance seeks to deepen a positive dialogue with the new president of Ukraine, new government, and new parliament.

He also said that during the visit, an official session of the Ukraine-NATO Commission will be held with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

The focus will be on the progress of reforms in Ukraine.

In particular, NATO Allies and Ukraine will take stock of the implementation of the Comprehensive Assistance Package, according to Vinnikov.

One of the main issues on the agenda will be the security situation in Ukraine – both in the east of the country and in the occupied Crimea.

Vinnikov has assured that the Alliance does not recognize and will not recognize the occupation of Crimea by Russia.

Separately, the NATO Council in Ukraine will meet with representatives of civil society on a number of issues, including the situation with the Crimean Tatars in Crimea and gender equality in defense and security.