WASHINGTON, July 12. /TASS/. NATO will support design and implementation of an integrated air and missile defense architecture for Ukraine, says a joint statement, issued by the heads of state and government participating in the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Washington.

“NATO will support and advise on the design and implementation of an integrated air and missile defense architecture for Ukraine, to enable the most efficient use of Ukraine’s air and missile defense capabilities and support its transition to full interoperability with NATO,” the document says.

NATO leaders emphasized they will work to together to bring Ukraine’s defense procurement in line with the alliance’s best practices.

The alliance reiterated the previous statement that it would appoint a Senior Representative to head the NATO Representation to Ukraine (NRU), who will oversee NATO’s engagement with Ukrainian authorities in Kiev. The move de-facto mirrors steps taken by the United States in NATO and Afghanistan, aimed at creating its own governing structure to make sure that the local side follows the alliance’s instructions.

NATO also welcomed the signing of bilateral security agreements between 23 NATO members. No additional pledges regarding Ukraine’s prospects of NATO membership in the future were made.