NATO considers Ukraine as its most active partner since this country participates in all operations led by the Alliance, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola has said in Kyiv Friday at a meeting with Ukraine's caretaker Defense Minister Valeriy Ivashchenko, the ministry press-service has reported.

Admiral Di Paola emphasized that NATO will be paying deference to any president elected by the Ukrainian people during a democratic election.

The Alliance official called the current level of NATO's cooperation with Ukraine as 'fruitful' and voiced hopes for its successful continuation.

For his part, Ivashchenko thanked Di Paola for the assistance of NATO experts and said that Ukraine's involvement in NATO-led international operations brings a huge experience to be further used for the Ukrainian army.

He also underlined that Ukraine intends to extend the cooperation and suggested NATO learning about Ukraine's military-transport capacities in details.

As reported, on February 4, 2010 President Viktor Yushchenko endorsed the Annual National Program 2010 on Ukraine's Preparations for NATO Membership.