Greece and Ukraine sign a joint statement on Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

The joint statement was made public on the sidelines of the meeting between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Volodymyr Zelenskiy at Megaros Maximos earlier.

The Ukrainian president is making an official visit to Athens in the context of the dinner for the leaders of the Balkans and the heads of the European institutions, for the enlargement and the European future of the region on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the EU-Western Balkans Summit and the “Declaration of Thessaloniki”.

As noted in the joint statement, the need to further strengthen the established capacity of the Euro-Atlantic community to address existing and potential global security challenges and threats is recognized.

It is emphasized that the Russian Federation poses a significant threat to the security of the Allies and to the peace and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area, as envisaged by the NATO Strategic Doctrine of 2022, which was adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the NATO Summit in Madrid on June 29, 2022.

It is recalled that NATO does not seek conflict, does not threaten the Russian Federation and will continue to respond to Russian threats and hostile actions with unity and responsibility, including by strengthening the deterrence and defense of all Allies, by strengthening resilience and by supporting its partners to counter malicious interference and aggression.

It is noted that, following the Declaration of the NATO Summit in Madrid on June 29, 2022, the Allies confirmed in the Declaration of the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 11, 2023 their full support for Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defense, such as enshrined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and their firm commitment to further upgrade political and practical support to Ukraine as it continues to defend its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,

Referring to Article 10 of the Washington Treaty on NATO, which expressly states that any other European state capable of promoting the principles of the Treaty and contributing to the security of the North Atlantic area may be invited to join the Treaty.

It is noted that the Constitution of Ukraine defines full membership in the North Atlantic Alliance as a strategic goal of the state,

Ukraine’s essential contribution to the security of the North Atlantic area is highlighted, in particular its efforts to prevent Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military attack,

Taking into account the joint appeal to the North Atlantic Alliance, from September 30, 2022, of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, regarding Ukraine’s application for NATO membership, underlining the unwavering position of the Hellenic Republic regarding Ukraine’s strategic goal of Euro-Atlantic integration, in accordance with what the Allies agreed at the NATO Summit in Vilnius and with the G7 Joint Declaration, the Hellenic Republic and Ukraine welcome the important achievements of progress of Ukraine on the road to Euro-Atlantic integration, in particular with regard to the interoperability with NATO demonstrated by the Ukrainian armed forces on the battlefield.

They reaffirm their commitment to intensify joint efforts in support of Ukraine’s integration into the Alliance and implementation of NATO standards.

They state the following:

The Hellenic Republic will continue to support the Alliance’s strong and effective political and material support to Ukraine in order to ensure Ukraine’s ability to effectively defend its territory, on land, sea and air.

Ukraine highly appreciates all the valuable practical assistance provided to it by the Hellenic Republic and its people in order to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

The Hellenic Republic will continue to provide military, technical, defense and humanitarian support to Ukraine.

The Hellenic Republic is committed to participating together with international organizations, allies and partners in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Ukraine after the war.

They state that Ukraine’s security is vital to the stability of the Euro-Atlantic area and fully support the NATO-Ukraine Council as the forum for further developing and expanding the ongoing cooperation to help Ukraine complete its path to the Euro-Atlantic family .

They note that the Hellenic Republic supports Ukraine becoming a member of NATO when the Allies agree and the conditions are met, as stipulated in the NATO Vilnius Summit Declaration.

Signed in duplicate at Athens, August 21, 2023, in the English language for the Hellenic Republic and Ukraine.