KYIV. Nov 25 (Interfax-AVN) - Ukraine's Party of Regions is satisfied with the statement made by the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor that it is not urgent for Ukraine to join the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP), the party said in a statement.
The statement was published on the party's website.
Taylor's position recognizes "the right of the Ukrainian people to choose its own path and fate," the Party of Regions said.
The party reiterated that it supports NATO MAP for Ukraine. "We hold that the policy carried out by the Ukrainian authorities, a policy which is independent from the will of the people, has no future. Only the Ukrainian people can take a decision whether Ukraine should make or not make steps toward NATO," it said.
The ambassador's statement confirms this right, and Ukraine's membership in the alliance "can be discussed only provided Ukraine reaches certain standards, including unity and a common opinion in society," it said.
Currently "the majority of Ukrainians oppose Ukraine's joining NATO," it said.
In an interview, Taylor said that the U.S. does not consider MAP to be urgent for Ukraine. Washington will probably not persuade NATO partners to offer MAP to Ukraine in December. If Ukraine agrees, Ukraine can skip this stage, and once it meets the NATO requirements, it will be possible to discuss Ukrainian membership in NATO, Taylor said.