A multinational inspection team of the United States, Canada and Italy is working in the territory of Ukraine in the period from November 5 to November 13, in order to conduct two joint training missions of observation flights using the observation aircraft of the U.S. Air Force OS-135B under the Open Skies Treaty, the Verification Office of the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reported.
“Inspection activities are carried out in accordance with the Annual National Program under the auspices of the Ukraine-NATO Commission for 2018, approved by decree of the president of Ukraine dated March 28, 2018, No. 89/2018, by the Plan of Verification Activities of Ukraine under international treaties and agreements in the field of arms control in 2018, approved by the defense minister of Ukraine,” the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said on Wednesday.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces reminded that the purpose of the activities under the Open Skies Treaty was to carry out training observation flights over the territory of Ukraine for the development of openness and transparency, to assist in monitoring the implementation of existing agreements in the field of arms control.
“This observation flight will improve the skills of Ukrainian specialists in the implementation of the Open Skies Treaty, and will also contribute to the development of relations with the Verification Structures of the United States, Canada and Italy,” the message said.
