Developed in close cooperation with experts from NATO, the European Union and the US, the draft law "On National Security of Ukraine" implements the ideas laid down in the Strategic Defense Bulletin and should become a key tool for reforming the national security sphere. This was stated by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov, presenting the bill submitted by the President of Ukraine on Thursday in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

According Turchinov, the adoption of the bill will be a significant step towards the implementation of the standards of the North Atlantic Alliance in Ukraine. "The reforms envisaged in the law will strengthen the security and defense sector of Ukraine, should ensure the preservation of Ukrainian statehood in the face of contemporary threats, and, above all, aggression on the part of the Russian Federation," he said..

The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine noted that the draft law introduces regulation of the activities of the security and defense sector bodies in accordance with the norms and standards of the European Union and NATO. "First of all," he said, "we are talking about the system of governance and leadership of the Armed Forces, other bodies of the security and defense sector, and will increase their ability to withstand modern threats".

"The draft Law of Ukraine" On the National Security of Ukraine "has a framework character, it establishes only general outlines of the national security system," stressed A. Turchynov. "This law consolidates Ukraine's fundamental national interests, including ensuring state sovereignty and territorial integrity, Ukraine's integration into the European political, economic, legal space, membership in the European Union and NATO".

Important Turchinov called the provision of the law of a reliable civilian democratic control of the security sector and defense of Ukraine, as well as the consolidation of clear lines of authority and competence of the security sector and defense, will increase the effectiveness of coordination of their activities, improve management quality and reduce corruption risks, limit unnecessary duplication of security features and opportunities.

According to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the draft provides for "certain codification of legislation in the sphere of national security", in particular, it proposes to integrate the provisions of the Laws of Ukraine "On Democratic Civil Control over the Military Organization and Law Enforcement Agencies of the State" and "On Organization of Defense Planning".

Turchynov noted that the Parliament's support for the draft Law of Ukraine "On National Security of Ukraine" was an important step towards strengthening the defense and security of our state.

The bill in the first reading was adopted by the votes of 265 people's deputies.