Ukraine hoping for positive NATO decision

KIEV, Ukraine, March 27 (UPI) -- A top Ukrainian official says he hopes Ukraine will be asked to join the membership action plan during the NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania.

Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Hryhoriy Nemyrya said Thursday he is hoping for a positive decision on joining the membership action plan, which is an integral step for future NATO membership. Nemyrya said that all the steps required by the Ukraine-NATO 2008 Target Action Plan have been completed and that he is hoping for a favorable decision from NATO officials at the Bucharest summit scheduled for April 2-4, Ukraine government news reported.

"Ukraine hopes for a positive decision on joining of our state to the membership action plan during the NATO Summit in Bucharest," Nemyrya said in a statement.

Nemyrya voiced reservations, though, saying that even if Ukraine is accepted into the NATO membership action plan, it does not necessarily mean the country will make it into NATO.

"It is fundamentally important that before joining NATO a national referendum should be held. Today a qualitative, open public discussion in the society is on the agenda."

While Ukrainian officials have been pushing to be placed in the membership action plan, Russia's incoming President Dmitry Medvedev has spoken out against possible NATO membership for Ukraine, calling it a threat to Russian security.