http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_108501.htm
We, the Foreign Ministers of NATO, are united in our condemnation of Russia’s illegal military intervention in Ukraine and Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We do not recognize Russia’s illegal and illegitimate attempt to annex Crimea. We urge Russia to take immediate steps, as set out in the statement by the NATO-Ukraine Commission, to return to compliance with international law and its international obligations and responsibilities, and to engage immediately in a genuine dialogue towards a political and diplomatic solution that respects international law and Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. We support the deployment of an OSCE monitoring mission to Ukraine.
Our goal of a Euro-Atlantic region whole, free, and at peace has not changed, but has been fundamentally challenged by Russia. We support the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of all states within their internationally recognised borders. An independent, sovereign, and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and respect for human rights, minorities, and the rule of law, is key to Euro-Atlantic security.
In order to demonstrate our commitment to Ukraine, we will intensify our cooperation in the framework of our Distinctive Partnership. Today NATO and Ukraine have agreed, as set out in the statement by the NATO-Ukraine Commission, to implement immediate and longer-term measures in order to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to provide for its own security.
We have also today agreed a package of measures aimed at deepening our cooperation with other NATO partners in Eastern Europe, in consultation with them and within our existing bilateral programmes.
Over the past twenty years, NATO has consistently worked for closer cooperation and trust with Russia. However, Russia has violated international law and has acted in contradiction with the principles and commitments in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Basic Document, the NATO-Russia Founding Act, and the Rome Declaration. It has gravely breached the trust upon which our cooperation must be based.
We have decided to suspend all practical civilian and military cooperation between NATO and Russia. Our political dialogue in the NATO-Russia Council can continue, as necessary, at the Ambassadorial level and above, to allow us to exchange views, first and foremost on this crisis. We will review NATO’s relations with Russia at our next meeting in June.
- As stated by our Heads of State and Government at the Chicago Summit in 2012, NATO is based on solidarity, Alliance cohesion, and the indivisibility of our security. In the current situation, the Alliance has already taken steps to demonstrate solidarity and strengthen its ability to anticipate and respond quickly to any challenges to Alliance security. We will continue to provide appropriate reinforcement and visible assurance of NATO’s cohesion and commitment to deterrence and collective defence against any threat of aggression to the Alliance.
*********
Subject: Women in the World Summit, April 3, 2014
The fifth annual summit hits New York’s Lincoln Center stage April 3-5, 2014. One can watch the Women in the World Summit LIVE on The Daily Beaststarting Thursday, April 3 at 6:30PM.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2014/03/13/the-women-in-the-world-summit-2014-agenda.html
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014 THE ICON OF MAIDAN SQUARE
Even as armed police descended on Kiev’s Maidan Square and fears of a Russian invasion mounted, one women emboldened the demonstrators by singing the national anthem to them night after night. An interview with Ruslana.
Ruslana Lyzhychko, Ukrainian and European Pop Singer, Leader of Maidan Square Protests
INTRODUCED BY: Amb. Melanne Verveer, Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
INTERVIEWED BY: Tina Brown, Founder, Women in the World and CEO, Tina Brown Live Media
Take a look a the whole line up for the program, and brief bios of 121 honorees and speakers: including–Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director, UN Women (Co-Host)
Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is United Nations Under-Secretary-General and executive director of UN Women. She was active in the struggle to end apartheid, was a member of South Africa’s first democratic parliament, and served as deputy president from 2005 to 2008. She began her career as a teacher and gained international experience as a coordinator at the World YWCA in Geneva, establishing a global program for young women. She is the founder of the Umlambo Foundation, which supports leadership and education.
Miambo-Ngcuka will appear on the “Empower Women, Recharge the World” panel on the morning of April 4th.
Liza Szonyi Donovan
Assistant Director
UCCA National Office
203 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-6840
(212) 228-6840
www.ucca.org