Yulia tymoshenko: ukraine’s entry into nato will be decided solely by the people
17 June 2008
Material from the Cabinet of Ministers Press
Service and Ukrayinska Pravda
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is convinced that Ukraine’s entry into NATO is possible solely based on the results of a nationwide referendum.
She stated this following her meeting with NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer.
“Ukraine’s entry into NATO can happen only through a nationwide referendum and without the people’s decisions no politician can make such a crucial and strategic decision,” stated Yulia Tymoshenko. She added that she will carry out whatever decision the Ukrainian people make on this issue.
Tymoshenko does not support the initiative by Party of Regions representatives to hold a separate referendum on Ukraine’s joining MAP and considers this provocation.
The leader of the government reminded that in the Universal of National Unity, which was then signed by Party of Regions leader Viktor Yanukovych, it states that a referendum should be held only on the issue of Ukraine joining NATO.
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is convinced that Ukraine’s entry into NATO is possible solely based on the results of a nationwide referendum.
She stated this following her meeting with NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer.
“Ukraine’s entry into NATO can happen only through a nationwide referendum and without the people’s decisions no politician can make such a crucial and strategic decision,” stated Yulia Tymoshenko. She added that she will carry out whatever decision the Ukrainian people make on this issue.
Tymoshenko does not support the initiative by Party of Regions representatives to hold a separate referendum on Ukraine’s joining MAP and considers this provocation.
The leader of the government reminded that in the Universal of National Unity, which was then signed by Party of Regions leader Viktor Yanukovych, it states that a referendum should be held only on the issue of Ukraine joining NATO.
The Prime Minister also noted that the Law of Ukraine
“On Principles of National Security,” which was
approved by the Party of Regions faction, envisages
Ukraine’s full-fledged participation in European and
regional collective security systems, membership in
the European Union and NATO.
The Head of Government also believes that the question of Ukraine in NATO is becoming extremely politicized, especially during election campaigns. Tymoshenko gave NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer the book Strategy for Ukraine’s Economic and Social Development in 2004-2015, which was edited by Viktor Yanukovych when he was Prime Minister. “In the book it states that Ukraine is to become a member of NATO by 2008,” highlighted Tymoshenko.
According to Tymoshenko, this book is a symbol of that fact that all politicians in Ukraine support entry into NATO while they are in power.
The Head of Government also believes that the question of Ukraine in NATO is becoming extremely politicized, especially during election campaigns. Tymoshenko gave NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer the book Strategy for Ukraine’s Economic and Social Development in 2004-2015, which was edited by Viktor Yanukovych when he was Prime Minister. “In the book it states that Ukraine is to become a member of NATO by 2008,” highlighted Tymoshenko.
According to Tymoshenko, this book is a symbol of that fact that all politicians in Ukraine support entry into NATO while they are in power.