Poroshenko prepares Constitution amendments for Ukraine to join EU and NATO
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has prepared amendments to the Constitution with respect to Ukraine joining the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance. He plans to submit them for consideration by parliament at the start of the Verkhovna Rada’s autumn session.
“Changes to the Constitution with respect to reinforcing our ambitions for Ukraine to join the EU and NATO are long overdue. I have drafted amendments to the Constitution, which I will give to the Ukrainian parliament for consideration at the start of the new political season,” Poroshenko wrote on Twitter.
The head of state added that he thinks there is a chance that 300 MPs will vote to pass the amendments.
“There is a chance of collecting 300 votes in favor of the decision. I will not allow anyone to subject Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic strategy to revision. We also need to get rid of the Kremlin-dictated forgotten constitutional principles for the temporary presence of the Russian fleet in our territory,” Poroshenko commented.
In March, President Petro Poroshenko gave an order for amendments to the constitution to be drafted which would reinforce Ukraine’s aspirations towards membership in NATO and the EU.
Last year the Verkhovna Rada passed a law according to which Ukraine joining NATO is defined as one of the foundations of its foreign policy. It was supported by 276 MPs. At least 300 votes are required in order to change the constitution.
The course towards NATO membership is prescribed in the laws “On the foundations of interior and foreign policy” and “On the foundations of Ukraine’s national security”.
Ukraine’s military doctrine also envisages the development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine according to western standards, aiming for compatibility with the armed forces of NATO member states.