Kiev, March 2 (IANS) Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov signed a plan for the implementation of the adapted Annual National Program of Cooperation with NATO for 2024. The plan aims at reforming Ukraine’s security and defence sector by mapping out 50 steps to achieve 17 goals.
The plan includes creating a joint NATO-Ukraine centre for analysis, training and education, developing national documents based on NATO standards, and completing the transformation of its command and control system in accordance with NATO principles and standards. The Ukrainian Parliament has declared rapprochement with NATO as one of the key priorities for Ukraine this year.
NATO recognised Ukraine as its Enhanced Opportunities Partner in 2020. In September 2023, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance is not ready to accept Ukraine as a member while its war with Russia is in an active stage. The signing of this plan signifies Ukraine’s commitment to aligning its security and defence sector with NATO standards.
