NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the Alliance will hold consultations with Ukraine and Georgia on the NATO 2030 strategy.
"There will be an expert report later on this year. And then I will, based on that report, and consultations and inputs and guidance from Allies – and also the discussion we will have at the Foreign Minister meeting in December – I will then put forward my proposals for the heads of state and government," he said ahead of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers on October 21, 2020.
"As part of that process, both of the Expert Group and my consultations, which will take place before I put forward my proposals, of course, I will also consult with partners, including Georgia and Ukraine, because for NATO partnerships are of great importance. Georgia and Ukraine are highly-valued partners. They are important for NATO because, for many reasons, but also because they contribute to NATO missions and operations, but also, of course, it's the strategic importance of the Black Sea Region has just increased. And, therefore, to work closely with and to discuss with and listen to a partner like Ukraine or Georgia is an important part of the whole NATO 2030 process," Stoltenberg said.
Read alsoTurkey supports Ukraine's prospects for membership in NATOUkraine and NATO: Background
- The North Atlantic Council on June 12 recognized Ukraine as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner.
- On October 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said Ukraine needs a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP).
