Charter on a Distinctive Partnership between NATO and Ukraine

Madrid, Spain - 9 July 1997

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its member States, hereinafter referred to as NATO, and Ukraine, are determined to further enhance their cooperation in the political, military, economic, scientific, technical and environmental fields.

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I. Principles for the Development of the NATO-Ukraine Relationship

NATO and Ukraine will base their relationship on the principles, obligations and commitments under international law and international instruments, including the United Nations Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and subsequent OSCE documents. Accordingly, NATO and Ukraine will cooperate to promote the following principles:

• recognition that security of all states in the OSCE area is indivisible, that no state should build its security at the expense of another and that no state can regard any part of the OSCE region as its sphere of influence;
• refraining from the threat or use of force against any state in any manner inconsistent with the United Nations Charter or the Helsinki Final Act principle of refraining from the threat or use of force;
• the inherent right of all states to choose and implement freely their own security arrangements, and to be free to choose or change their security arrangements, including treaties of alliance, as they evolve;
• respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all other states, for the inviolability of frontiers, and for the right of peoples to self-determination, as enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act and other OSCE documents;
• the peaceful settlement of disputes;
• the promotion of democratic values, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the development of free market economies.

Ukraine reaffirms its determination to carry forward its defence reforms, to strengthen democratic and civilian control of its armed forces, and to increase their interoperability with the forces of NATO and Partner countries. NATO reaffirms its support for Ukraine’s efforts in these areas.

II. Areas for Consultation and/or Cooperation

Consultation and/or cooperation will focus on, but not be limited to, the following areas:

• political and security-related subjects, in particular the evolution of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture;
• conflict prevention, crisis management, peacekeeping, peace support and humanitarian operations;
• the political and defence aspects of nuclear, biological and chemical non-proliferation;
• disarmament and arms control issues;
• arms exports and related technology transfers;
• combating drug-trafficking and terrorism.

Other areas for consultation and cooperation will include:

• defence planning, budgeting, policy, strategy and national security concepts;
• defence conversion;
• military cooperation and interoperability;
• economic aspects of security;
• scientific and technical cooperation;
• environmental security issues;
• aerospace research and development;
• civil emergency planning and disaster preparedness;
• civil-military relations;
• democratic control of the armed forces and the Ukrainian security services;
• military training and education.

III. Practical Arrangements for Consultation and Cooperation

• NATO and Ukraine will hold regular meetings at the level of the North Atlantic Council with Ukraine.
• A NATO-Ukraine Commission will be created to oversee the implementation of the Charter.
• The NATO-Ukraine Commission will meet at least twice a year at the level of the North Atlantic Council with a Ukrainian representative.
• Under the auspices of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, a Joint Working Group on Defence Reform will be established.
• NATO and Ukraine will establish a Ukrainian military liaison mission to NATO in Brussels.

IV. Cooperation for a More Secure Europe

• NATO Allies will continue to support Ukrainian sovereignty and independence, territorial integrity, democratic development, economic prosperity and its status as a non-nuclear weapon state.
• NATO and Ukraine will consult in the event that Ukraine perceives a direct threat to its territorial integrity, political independence, or security.
• The NATO-Ukraine relationship is an open-ended one, which will be developed over time.

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This Charter will enter into force upon its signature. This Charter is established in two originals in the English, French and Ukrainian languages, all three texts having equal validity.