Stoltenberg: NATO doors opened for Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The doors of NATO are opened. The best proof is that the number of the Alliance members has almost doubled since the end of the Cold War. Moreover, Montenegro joined NATO in spring this year, having expanded the NATO membership up to 29 countries," Stoltenberg replied to the question about the Alliance's position regarding the possible membership of Ukraine.

However, he stressed that the state must necessarily meet certain standards to join NATO.

"Georgia and Ukraine are now focused on reforms: modernizing their defense institutions, tackling corruption, strengthening democracy. NATO and its allies help both countries implement these reforms," the NATO Secretary General said.

At the same time, Stoltenberg stressed that no third party had the right to interfere in this decision-making process.

ol