This from the official web site of Ukrainian Ministry of Defence:
This was announced Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, opening on Friday in Brussels meeting of NATO-Ukraine Commission.
– I just exchanged letters with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Pavel Lebedev, confirming Ukraine’s participation in the NATO operation against piracy “Ocean Shield” – said the secretary general of NATO.
Recall that the February 21-22, Ukraine’s defense minister Pavel Lebedev is on an official visit to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, where he participated in the meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Commission and the North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers.
As explained in the Mission of Ukraine to NATO, the agreement formalizes Ukraine’s status as the first partner country participating in the operation to combat piracy, “Ocean Shield” and the only NATO partner country that participates in all its operations.
It is expected that in November the flagship of the Naval Forces of Ukraine frigate “Hetman Sagaidachny” with helicopter deck and a group of special forces take part in the NATO operation against piracy “Ocean Shield”
This is the first time that Ukraine will take part in the Operation Ocean Shield. Years ago Bulgaria wanted to take part but was not able to finance it. Last year Romania send a frigate to take part in EU’s anti piracy Operation Atalanta.
devrimyaylali.com 