KYIV. Nov 10 (Interfax-Ukraine) - NATO will continue cooperating with Ukraine irrespective of the outcome of the country's presidential elections as long as democratic standards are observed, NATO's Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Security and Partnership Robert Simmons told a news conference in Kyiv on Wednesday
Simmons said his visit is connected with practical issues and is not linked to the Ukrainian presidential elections.
He said that NATO and observers who represented the alliance did follow the elections. If the process is effective, U.S.-Ukrainian cooperation and partnership will continue irrespective of the outcome of the elections, he said.
Simmons said he is concerned about legislative work aimed at strengthening civil society. NATO discussed this issue and has expressed its concerns and hopes that Ukrainian officials are aware of their views, he said.
Presidential aide Volodymyr Horbulyn, who heads the National Center for Euro-Atlantic Integration, said the parties discussed the presidential elections and agreed that the outcome of the first round confirms that civil society is being formed in Ukraine.
"We think, however, that civil institutions are not effective enough at this stage," Horbulyn said.