After Western-leaning government came to power in Ukraine, the former Soviet republic has made no secret of its ambition to join NATO. However, public opinion is divided on the government's plans.
"A referendum can only be held after Ukraine has not only been invited into the organization but has met all membership requirements," Oleh Rybachuk said. "Only then can the country's leadership ask the opinion of Ukrainians."
He added that a referendum would be pointless at this point in time because people were poorly informed about the subject.
Rybachuk said that consultations on Friday between President Viktor Yushchenko and political parties and blocs represented in parliament had highlighted the NATO issue in every detail. The president met with political parties after a majority coalition deal was signed Thursday, which will make it possible to form a new government after three months of political wrangling.
"All political forces offered a solution formula that would include a referendum," Rybachuk said.
On Thursday, Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk reiterated that Ukraine wanted to become a NATO country in 2008 and added that a referendum could be held on the issue then.
Ukraine's Crimean autonomous republic was rocked with mass protests in late May-early June after a U.S. cargo ship brought military equipment to a local port ahead of a NATO exercise. The cargo was later removed following the protests.
