Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Walter Gaskin has said the year 2011 will be a difficult one due to financial limitations.
"The year 2011 will be a difficult year for all of us, taking into account some financial limitations and limits, but I hope that through joint efforts we will be able to achieve the set goals," he said at a meeting with Chief of General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Colonel-General Hryhoriy Pedchenko, in Kyiv on Friday.
During the meeting the sides discussed the current situation and prospects for the development of the cooperation between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the NATO Military Committee.
Gaskin thanked the Ukrainian side for its participation in NATO military operations, and at the same time expressed respect for Ukraine’s nonaligned status.
"We respect Ukraine’s nonaligned status. At the same time we are very grateful to Ukraine for its contribution to operations to settle crises under the guidance of NATO, its participation in the Kosovo Force (KFOR), Operation Active Endeavour,and operations in Afghanistan," he said.
Speaking about further military cooperation between Ukraine and NATO, Gaskin said that one important aspect was to increase the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and to bring them into operative compatibility with NATO forces.
