Ukrainian Parliament calls on NATO to provide Ukraine with Membership Action Plan
The Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada asked NATO member countries to support Ukraine's intention to become a member of the Alliance and to start a formal dialogue on a Membership Action Plan at the NATO Summit in London in December 2019, Interfax-Ukraine reports. The draft decision and request were supported by 243 People's Deputies at the plenary meeting of the Parliament on Thursday.
"We are calling on the heads of NATO member states to approve... the given decision at the anniversary Summit of the alliance in London in December 2019. That would… formally start an individual dialogue regarding recommendations and practical support that will establish an action plan for Ukraine's NATO membership," said Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Foreign Affairs, Borys Tarasyuk as he read the text of the request.
The Ukrainian Parliament appealed to the North Atlantic Council and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, national parliaments of the NATO member states, to support Ukraine's intentions to get NATO membership.
Meanwhile, People's deputies stated that from the time of the Revolution of Dignity (Maidan), a special partnership between Ukraine and NATO has undergone deep, qualitative changes and needs new forms of institutional dialogue.
Earlier, the Verkhovna Rada supported amendments to the Ukrainian Constitution solidifying Ukraine’s course towards NATO membership and European integration .