He recalled that Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had already issued a decree outlining the basic parameters of such participation.
An UKRINFORM correspondent in Brussels said that only a few hours before the committee began its work, the alliance had taken a decision on its own participation in securing the arms embargo on Libya.
Klimkin said that a Ukrainian landing ship, the Kostiantyn Olshansky, which is already heading to the Mediterranean Sea, would participate in the evacuation of Ukrainians wishing to leave the conflict zone, as well as nationals of other countries. Further actions by the Ternopil, a Ukrainian corvette participating in NATO's Operation Active Endeavor in the Mediterranean Sea, have not been determined yet.
At the same time, Klimkin said that Ukraine would continue to maintain its active cooperation with NATO. An annual national program, which will be adopted "in the coming days," remains the main document outlining such cooperation, the diplomat said. The main provisions of the document have already been included in the plans of respective ministries and agencies, so Ukraine has been implementing the program since the beginning of 2011.
Klimkin said that a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at the level of foreign ministers, which is to be held in Berlin on April 14-15, would be important in the context of the development of bilateral relations.
This meeting will be dedicated to the development of the partnership concept. "Ukraine, and this is noted in the NATO Strategic Concept, is a very important partner for NATO in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security. We have many important issues on the agenda as to how we will cooperate with NATO to strengthen security in this area," Klimkin said.
During a meeting of the commission in Berlin, the sides will consider the implementation of the annual national program, as well as the creation of a coordinating commission on Ukraine's cooperation with NATO. Klimkin said that the body, which will include five coordinators under the overall political leadership of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, would be able to significantly improve the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation with the alliance.
Important topics during the ministerial meeting will also be the participation of Ukraine in NATO-led operations and its possible involvement in other areas of cooperation, including the theme of science and civil protection.
A new theme, which is to be discussed by the ministers, is a possible area of cooperation between Ukraine and NATO in the creation of a European missile defense system. According to Klimkin, corresponding working consultations between the parties will be held next week.
