Answering the journalists’ questions in Brussels on January 9, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer calls Ukraine the candidate for the next wave of NATO spreading in 2008.
He stressed that 2008 would be the year of great importance for NATO because the summit-2008 would consider the applications of Western Balkan countries-candidates and evaluate their “practical achievements.”
Regarding the coming membership, Scheffer mentions that all depends on Ukraine. “The key is in Kyiv,” said he.
NATO Secretary General confirmed the readiness of the countries-members to provide every possible help for Ukraine to become a member of NATO. He also hailed the gas agreements which were reached by Ukraine and Russia. “I am glad that Ukraine and Russia made mutual acceptable decision,” said the Secretary General Scheffer answering the question of Ukrainian journalists. He stated that he personally and NATO watched closely the last events, however the North Alliance does not intend to play one or another role in this situation.
