KIEV, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine may apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2020, the state-run newspaper Government's Courier said Tuesday, citing a senior Ukrainian Foreign Ministry official.
The government has defined 2020 as a benchmark for when Ukraine should achieve NATO standards across a number of areas, especially in the defense sector, said Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko, who is also the head of the country's mission to NATO.
The Membership Action Plan is a NATO program offering advice, assistance and practical support tailored to the individual needs of countries wishing to join the alliance.
Ukraine joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1991 shortly after Kiev gained its independence from the former Soviet Union.
In 2003, Ukraine declared a course towards NATO membership, but revoked the policy in 2010, declaring non-aligned status.
On June 8 this year, the Eastern European country resumed its course towards joining the alliance, pledging to implement reforms in its security, defense, justice and anti-corruption sectors.
