"If the alliance takes a positive decision on Ukraine joining the NATO Membership Action Plan, the Ukrainian defense ministry has concrete proposals on transforming the [Annual] Target Plan into the NATO Membership Action Plan," a Ukrainian Defense Ministry press statement later quoted Yekhanurov as saying during his meeting with Jiri Sedivy, NATO assistant secretary general for defense planning policy and planning.
In the framework of cooperation with NATO, Ukraine presents a draft Annual Target Plan for achieving the principles and objectives of the Action Plan. Participation in the NATO Membership Action Plan does not automatically mean a country will be admitted to the bloc, but is the first step toward membership.
The Ukrainian government's letter to the NATO chief, setting out the country's bid to join an Action Plan to gain membership of the Western military alliance, was published in Kiev last week. The country's leaders have expressed their hopes that the country could join the Action Plan at a NATO summit scheduled for early April in Bucharest.
The majority of Ukrainians have so far opposed the idea of joining the alliance. Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said last week the decision on whether Ukraine should join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization would "be taken exclusively by the Ukrainian people through a nationwide referendum."
The announcement was made following a protest by opposition members who had blocked parliamentary work in a show of force against the government's moves to gain membership in the Western military alliance.
Another former Soviet state, Georgia, held a referendum on NATO membership on January 5. An overwhelming 77% voted in favor of joining the alliance.
