NATO defense ministers conclude summit

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-21-2009 17:24

NATO defense ministers have concluded their two-day meeting in the Polish city of Krakow.

They sought to find ways to keep the door open to Ukraine's membership, and took up the issue of reforming the alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer addresses reporters during his final press conference at a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Krakow, Southern Poland  February 20, 2009.REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski

After the meeting ended on Friday, Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said NATO would stick by its commitment to help Ukraine undertake reforms in its defense and security structures. The alliance is still considering ways to let Ukraine join.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary-General, said, "Allies are aware, by the way, that the financial and economic crisis that has also hit Ukraine very hard is having an effect on Ukrainian reforms. But ministers encouraged Ukraine to keep up the effort including with the necessary resources, difficult as that may be."

The ministers also took up the issue of reform. The 60-year-old alliance is facing criticism that it could be losing its relevance. The world is vastly different from the post World War II and Cold War reality.