Hrytsenko: Ukraine’s NATO membership is just a forecast

“By the end of March the Action Plan on Alliance membership will be ready, and in September we will proceed to its fulfillment. If Ukraine’s work is successful and convincing for NATO, the fundamental decision concerning Ukraine’s accession to NATO may be made during “NATO-Ukraine” summit in 2008, declared Hrytsenko in an interview to the newspaper “Vremya novostey” (Time for news).

According to the Minister, after this the country will find a period of transition, about two years, to finish spade-works.

“Full membership may be gained by 2010,” said he, having added that “it is just a forecast, life can amend into it.”

Defense Minister considers that by that time Ukraine’s society will be ready to support the country’s aspiration.

The mane thing is to inform citizens honestly and not to manipulate public support or “unsupport” using half-truth or barefaced lie.

“We need to explain honestly and earnestly the advantages of the Alliance membership, as well as to explode myths about NATO’s ‘aggressive nature’. I am sure by the time NATO to make the decision, Ukraine’s society will ready to back it,” noted Hrytsenko.