BRUSSELS. May 2 (Interfax-AVN) - Ukraine will receive an invitation to launch negotiations on accession to NATO in 2008, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk told journalists in Brussels.
"I know nothing about the United States' goal to ensure Ukraine's accession to NATO by a specific deadline. The most important thing we heard [at foreign ministers' informal meeting in Sofia on April 27-28] is that NATO will be ready to invite Ukraine as part of the Membership Action Plan as soon as Ukraine is ready for it," the minister said.
Tarasyuk offered his comments in response to a The Financial Times report referring to a high-ranking NATO diplomat, who said that the United States would help Ukraine join the alliance by 2008.
NATO is waiting for Ukraine to form its new government, which will have to confirm its commitment to joining the Membership Action Plan, the minister said.