Oleksandr Lytvynenko: Practical realization of the Concept of reforming of the defense and security sector of Ukraine will allow forming a holistic security and defense sector of the state

Realization of the Concept of reforming of the defense and security sector of Ukraine will allow forming a holistic security and defense sector of the state. This was stated by Deputy to Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Lytvynenko during the Second International Conference "Governance in the defense and security sector: the role of democratic institutions and the best international practices", held in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Deputy to NSDC Secretary of Ukraine noted that the aim of the Concept is to determine ways of forming the national security and defense capabilities, which will contribute to the restoration of territorial integrity of Ukraine within internationally recognized state border of Ukraine; to guarantee the peaceful future of Ukraine as a sovereign, independent, democratic, social, law-governed state.

He also noted that the Concept involves the creation of the national system of response to crisis situations, early detection, prevention and neutralization of external and internal threats to national security, guaranteeing personal security, constitutional rights and freedoms; ensuring cybersecurity and prompt joint response to crisis situations and emergencies.

The Concept of reforming of the defense and security sector of Ukraine, according to Mr. Lytvynenko, defines the system of views on the development of security and defense capabilities of Ukraine in the medium term, formed on the basis of evaluation of the security environment and financial and economic capabilities of the state, which was performed within the framework of the comprehensive review of the security and defense sector of Ukraine.

During his speech Mr. Lytvynenko, in particular, noted that the main outcome of the improvement of national legislation in security and defense sphere became the definition of objectives for deepening of cooperation with NATO in order to meet the criteria for membership in the Alliance, as well as developed and approved by the relevant decrees of the President of Ukraine the new editions of the National Security Strategy and Military Doctrine of Ukraine.

"Practical realization of the Concept will allow to form a holistic security and defense sector of the state as a key element of the system of providing the national security and effective public tool for the timely and guaranteed response to emerging of crisis situations, that threaten the national security of Ukraine", - Deputy to NSDC Secretary of Ukraine stressed.

He also added that according to the Concept the expenditures on national security and defense are planned at the level not less than 5% of GDP, including the defense spendings - not less than 3% of GDP annually.

"The annual expenditures for the maintenance and development of the Defense-Industrial Complex of Ukraine are forecasted at the level of 0,5% of GDP", - Mr. Lytvynenko concluded.