KIEV, January 24 (RIA Novosti) - The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the idea of holding a referendum on the country's accession to NATO was premature.
First Deputy Minister Anton Buteiko told a news conference that under the constitution, Ukrainians had the right to initiate a referendum. But after saying that many members of the military bloc had held referendums, he struck a note of caution, highlighting the need to explain the matter to the public first.
"Therefore, we believe that the initiative to hold a referendum on NATO accession is somewhat premature at the moment," Buteiko said.
However, the diplomat added that Ukrainian membership in NATO was the best way to ensure the country's security and transform Ukrainian society.
Ukraine's accession to NATO became a subject of intense discussion after the "orange revolution" swept pro-Western authorities, including President Viktor Yushchenko, to power in 2004.
