Brussels, Feb 12, 2010, SPA -- NATO's secretary general hopes to "work closely"with Ukrainian president-elect Viktor Yanukovych, dpa cited the alliance's topofficial as saying in a statement today. "On behalf of NATO, I warmly congratulate Viktor Yanukovych on hiselection as president of Ukraine. The elections were free, fair anddemocratic, and an example for the region," Anders Fogh Rasmussensaid. "NATO is committed to deepening our strategic partnership withUkraine, including by assisting, where possible, Ukraine's reformefforts, and I personally look forward to working closely withPresident Yanukovych," the statement said. Yanukovych's predecessor as president, Viktor Yushchenko, took hiscountry on a strongly pro-Western course during his five years inoffice, pushing for NATO membership and seriously angering Russia. During Yushchenko's term, NATO set up a special council withUkraine to coordinate cooperation, improve their ties and helpUkraine reform its Soviet-era military. Ukrainian soldiers are scheduled to join NATO's rapid-reactionforce, a trouble-shooting standby group of soldiers held ready todeal with any sudden military or civilian crisis, in June. It would be the first time that a non-NATO member has suppliedtroops to the force. Yanukovych is seen as much less pro-NATO than Yushchenko. Analystssaid that he was likely to scale back contacts with the alliance andpush instead for better relations with the European Union and Russia.--SPA 18:48 LOCAL TIME 15:48 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/747649