NATO secretary general praises Ukraine's intentions to extend its presence in Afghanistan

16:06

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said that he appreciates Ukraine's intentions to extend its presence in Afghanistan.

He said this at a press conference in Krakow on Friday, following an informal meeting of NATO defense ministers. A meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission was held as part of the ministerial meeting.

Defense Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov headed the Ukrainian delegation.

Scheffer commented on the possible increase in the number of Ukrainian soldiers in Afghanistan.

"First and foremost, this is an issue that has to be resolved by Ukraine. The minister [Yuriy Yekhanurov] told me that the presence could be increased. This is highly appreciated. I don't know particularly when and where the details will be worked out. A political principle is important for me. I say again that Ukraine, when I look at our partners, is an important partner that participates in all of our operations," he said.

The Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent joined the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in May 2007.

According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian peacekeepers currently include ten officers. Ukrainians perform peacekeeping tasks along with soldiers from Lithuania, Denmark, Croatia, and Georgia.

The decision to send Ukrainian peacekeepers to Afghanistan to participate in the UN-led international peacekeeping operation was taken in December 2006. The proposal to send the Ukrainian contingent to Afghanistan was backed at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council on December 15, 2006. This decision was enacted by a presidential decree on January 26, 2007.