The first high-level meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Centre (JATEC), the first joint NATO-Ukraine institution designed to strengthen the capabilities of the Defence Forces and expedite Ukraine's NATO membership process, was conducted.

The decision to set up JATEC was endorsed at the NATO Summit in Washington in July of this year. The Centre is established in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz.

“Established jointly with NATO, the Centre will support Ukraine in implementing procedures, approaches, and standards while facilitating the exchange of experience. One of our primary goals is to achieve interoperability, and we are actively implementing measures to accomplish this. Our recommendations for the projects' implementation have been submitted, and we are looking forward to substantive decisions,” commented Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Stanislav Haider.

The discussions in Poland were attended by NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Operations Thomas Goffus, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Philippe Lavigne, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Major General Karol Dymanowski, and Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for European integration Oleksandr Balanutsa.

The parties legitimately consolidated the establishment of the Centre and outlined its main tasks, organisational layout, roles and functions of the executive personnel.

JATEC's operation aims to achieve interoperability between Ukraine's security and defence institutions and the Alliance's relevant institutions, enhance educational quality, strengthen analytical aspects, and train personnel.

The parties agreed that the establishment of the Centre should be formally finalised in October or November of this year.

“Establishing a joint centre between Ukraine and NATO signifies a tangible step towards Ukraine's integration into the Alliance structures. NATO membership goes beyond being a mere political slogan; it involves putting actual projects into action. Our integration into the Alliance is progressing steadily, and the establishment of JATEC is a significant step in that direction,” said Oleksandr Balanutsa during the event.

Another point brought up was the necessity for NATO to support the Centre’s operations by providing resources for activities and building an information and communications network.

Ukraine and NATO officials also reached a consensus on the need to kick-start projects under JATEC as soon as possible.

In particular, The Ukrainian side submitted a list of 70 projects for joint efforts and suggested which ones to prioritise.