KYIV. Oct 21 (Interfax) - Reforms, security in eastern Ukraine and the Black Sea, and the situation in "occupied" Crimea will be addressed during the Ukrainian visit of a delegation of the North Atlantic Council on October 30-31, Head of the NATO Representation to Ukraine Alexander Vinnikov said.
"The NATO-Ukraine Commission will hold a session involving the Ukrainian president. Reforms and security in eastern Ukraine, the illegally occupied Crimea, and the Black Sea will be highlighted," Vinnikov said at the roundtable talks Ukraine-NATO: What's on the Negotiating Table? in Kyiv on Monday.
The visit of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and other high-ranking officials to Kyiv and Odesa will demonstrate "support for free shipping and navigation," he said.
"The principal goal is to send a strong message of support for the Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, in particular, in the Black Sea," Vinnikov said.
The NATO delegation will have a series of meetings with Ukrainian deputies, government members, and civil activists.
A NATO appraisal mission will arrive in Ukraine several weeks from now, Vinnikov said.
"We are expecting an appraisal mission, which will arrive from the NATO headquarters in several weeks to give efficient advice and to evaluate the 2020 national program," he said.
Vinnikov underlined the importance of further transition of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to NATO standards.