President of Ukraine

06/01/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/01/2023 08:43

Joint Declaration of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Romania Klaus Werner Iohannis on the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine

Joint Declaration of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Romania Klaus Werner Iohannis on the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine

1 June 2023 - 17:03

Acknowledging the need to further strengthen the consolidated capacity of the Euro-Atlantic community to counter existing and potential global challenges and security threats,

Emphasizing that the Russian Federation is the most significant and direct threat to Allies´ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area, as stipulated in the NATO 2022 Strategic Concept adopted by Heads of State and Government at the NATO Summit in Madrid on 29 June 2022,

Firmly rejecting Russia's claim to a zone of influence and recognizing Ukraine's right to pursue its own security arrangements, including future membership of NATO,

Recalling the Madrid Summit decisions regarding the strategic importance of the Black Sea region for the Euro-Atlantic security,

Recalling that NATO does not seek confrontation, poses no threat to Russian Federation and will continue to respond to Russian threats and hostile actions in a united and responsible way, including by strengthening deterrence and defence for all Allies, enhancing resilience and supporting its partners to counter malign interference and aggression,

Taking note of Paragraph 4 of the Madrid Summit Declaration issued by NATO Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Madrid on 29 June 2022, that the Alliance reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders extending to its territorial waters, as well as fully supports Ukraine's inherent right to self-defence and to choose its own security arrangements,

Referring to the Article 10 of the NATO Washington Treaty, which clearly states that any other European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area may be invited to accede to this Treaty,

Recalling the NATO 2008 Bucharest Summit Declaration where Allies agreed that Ukraine will become member of NATO, when the conditions will be met,

Having regard to Paragraph 18 of the Madrid Summit Declaration issued by NATO Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Madrid on 29 June 2022, where Allies reaffirm their commitment to NATO's Open Door Policy,

Recalling paragraph 40 of the NATO 2022 Strategic Concept, which states that NATO's door remain open to all European democracies that share the values of the Alliance, which are willing and able to assume the responsibilities and obligations of NATO membership, and whose membership contributes to the common security,

Recognizing that NATO enlargement has been a historic success, which contributed to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic Area,

Having regard to the Constitution of Ukraine which defines gaining full-fledged membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a strategic course of the state,

Taking into account the support by overwhelming majority of Ukrainian population for integration of Ukraine with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,

Noting Ukraine's significant contribution to the security of North Atlantic area, in particular its efforts to deter Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression,

Having regard to the Joint Appeal of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Speaker of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as of September 30, 2022 on Ukraine's application for NATO membership,

Welcoming the Joint Statement of Presidents of nine Central and Eastern European NATO Member States as of October 2, 2022, signed by the President of Romania, which highlights the support to Ukraine's membership in the Alliance and encourages Allies to substantially increase military aid to Ukraine,

Recalling that our bilateral relationship is built on shared values, good neighborly relations, democratic principles, respect for human rights and fundamental values, including rights of persons belonging to national minorities, as enshrined in the Treaty between Ukraine and Romania on Good Neighborliness and Cooperation signed on June 2, 1997, in Constanța,

the President of Ukraine and the President of Romania

• welcome the significant achievements of Ukraine in advancing on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration;

• confirm their commitment to strengthen joint efforts in supporting the integration of Ukraine with the Alliance and implementation of NATO standards;

• express readiness to hold bilateral consultations regarding international security guarantees for Ukraine prior to achieving NATO membership, based on the Kyiv Security Compact as of September 13, 2022;

• declare the following:

- Romania will continue to promote Alliance's strong and effective political and practical support for Ukraine aimed at ensuring the ability of the Ukrainian state to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity;

- Ukraine will continue deepening interoperability with NATO, and modernizing its security and military forces;

- Ukraine highly appreciates all political and practical assistance being provided by Romania and the people of Romania at this critical time, including, but not limited to, welcoming refugees, transit of international assistance, facilitating grain exports, support for Ukraine's self-defense efforts and resilience, including defense capacity building. Ukraine welcomes Romania's post-war reconstruction efforts and initiatives;

- Romania will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. It will continue to provide multidimensional support to Ukraine and to call for strengthening the international support and assistance for Ukraine. Romania will support Ukraine in the post-war reconstruction and recovery aimed at a stable, safe and resilient country.

• note that Romania supports Ukraine to become NATO Member as soon as conditions allow for it;

• continue to work together in order to:

- support the stability and resilience of vulnerable countries in our region, impacted by Russia's war of aggression;

- ensure freedom and safety of navigation in the Black Sea, in accordance with international norms and principles;

- achieve lasting security, stability, democracy and prosperity in the Black Sea region.

Signed in duplicate in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova on June 1, 2023 in the English language.

For Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

For Romania President Klaus Werner Iohannis