The Acting Head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO, Yehor Bozhok, is convinced that increasing the NATO presence in the Black Sea region with the aim of enhancing security would be incomplete without the participation of Ukraine and Georgia, as cited by UNIAN, reporting from Brussels during a press conference prior to the meeting of the Defense Ministers of NATO member states.

"In my opinion, any actions to be undertaken in the Black Sea in the context of enhancing security would be incomplete without the participation of Ukraine and Georgia," he said.

As a result, Bozhok said there is “regular and deep dialogue” between NATO, Ukraine and Georgia on this issue. Speaking about the expectations from the meeting, the Ukrainian diplomat said that he wants "to go to NATO and ask for the implementation of the decision made at the Warsaw Summit concerning the strengthening of their presence along the eastern border."

"Strengthening NATO's security along the eastern border automatically means a strengthening of our security. The question is the balance of forces and making a clear demonstration to the aggressor that the actions and the audacious and unscrupulous violation of all norms, principles and arrangements that existed before, can no longer take place," Bozhok explained.

The Head of the Ukrainian Mission to NATO recalled that at the Warsaw Summit, Ukraine received an unprecedented, integrated package of support that covers 40 areas in which Ukraine will receive logistical, practical, financial, advisory and consultative support to aid in the reform of security and defense sectors according to NATO standards. "Our challenge now is to implement this package," Bozhok said.

Earlier, NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said that at the meeting in Brussels on 26-27 October, 2016, the Defense Ministers of the 28 member states of the Alliance will discuss the increased presence in the Black Sea region and the need to ensure the rapid movement of forces.

  Ukraine, NATO, Black Sea

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