20 Sept. 2004

NATO’s Highest Military Authority meets in Ukraine, 21 September 2004 1. The Military Committee in Permanent Session with Ukraine, will meet in Kiev, Ukraine on 21 September 2004. This is the first time that the Military Committee will meet in this Session in Ukraine. They will be hosted by Lieutenant General Serhiy Kyrychenko, the Ukraine Chief of Defence. 2. This significant meeting signals a deepening of the military relationship between NATO and Ukraine, who became the first member of the Commonwealth of Independent States to sign the Framework Partnership for Peace document in 1994. In 1995 Ukraine joined the Planning and Review Process and finally, in 1997, NATO and Ukraine established a distinctive partnership signing the NATO-Ukraine Charter which grants Ukraine a privileged relationship with NATO. 3. Discussions at the meeting will centre on Ukraine plans for reforming their Armed Forces. Note for Editors: 21 Sept 04: 0915hrs: Opening Session of the meeting - photo opportunity. 21 Sept 04: 1100-1120hrs: Press Conference with Lieutenant General Serhiy Kyrychenko, the Ukraine Chief of Defence, and General Harald Kujat, Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee Media wishing to attend these events should seek accreditation and further details from: The Press Service, Ukraine Ministry of Defence Major Konstantyn Sadylov Tel: +380 44 253 2073 For further information, please contact the following: NATO Information and Documentation Centre Mr. John Karwatsky 36/1, vul. Melnykova, Kyiv 04119 Ukraine tel: +380 44 246 86 16 Fax:+380 44 246 86 22 e-mail : nidc@ukrpack.net www.nato.int/ukraine Brussels: NATO HQ Office of the Public Information Adviser International Military Staff NATO Headquarters Boulevard Leopold III 1110 – Brussels tel: 00 322 707 5983/5423 fax: 00 322 707 5713 e-mail: dims.pia@hq.nato.int More information about the Military Committee may also be found on the International Military Staff web site at www.nato.int/ims/home.htm