MEETING OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL
AT THE
LEVEL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
HELD AT NATO HEADQUARTERS, BRUSSELS,
ON 2-3
DECEMBER 2008
FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ
1.
Founded on the enduring principle of
the indivisibility of Allied security, NATO remains the essential forum for
security consultations among the Allies of Europe and North America and the
transatlantic framework for strong collective defence of our populations,
territory and forces, the core purpose of our Alliance and its most important
security task. Today, we reaffirmed our cohesion, solidarity and
commitment to the common vision and shared democratic values of the Washington
Treaty, which reflects the purposes and principles of the United Nations
Charter. We agreed today on actions that, while enhancing our ability to
maintain our core purpose, will also more effectively enable us to meet emerging
challenges, and add momentum to implementation of the decisions taken at the
NATO Summit in Bucharest in April of this year. We also gave further
direction on work to be completed before the Alliance’s 60th Anniversary Summit
in Strasbourg and Kehl in April 2009.
2.
NATO’s ongoing enlargement process has been a historic success in advancing the
vision of a Europe that is whole and free, united in peace, democracy and common
values. At our Summit next year, we aim to welcome Albania and Croatia as
new members of the Alliance and we are pleased to be joined today by our
colleagues from these two countries, who associate themselves with this
Communiqué. In a manner consistent with the principles of the United
Nations Charter, NATO’s door remains open to all European democracies willing
and able to assume the responsibilities and obligations of membership, in
accordance with Article 10 of the Washington
Treaty.
3. Today we reaffirm our commitment
to a common vision of how to meet existing security challenges in ways which
contribute to lasting peace and security in the Euro Atlantic area. We
underscore that the existing structures – NATO, the European Union (EU), the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of
Europe – based on common values, continue to provide every opportunity for
countries to engage substantively on Euro Atlantic security with a broad acquis,
established over decades, that includes respect for human rights, territorial
integrity, the sovereignty of all states, without dividing lines, and the
requirement to fulfil international commitments and agreements. Within
this framework, Allies are open to dialogue within the OSCE on security
perceptions and how to respond to new threats, and seek the widest possible
cooperation among participating states to promote a common Euro Atlantic space
of security and stability. The common aim should be to improve
implementation of existing commitments and to continue to improve existing
institutions and instruments so as to effectively promote our values and Euro
Atlantic security.
4. We pay tribute to the
professionalism and bravery of the many men and women from Allied and other
nations who are involved in NATO’s operations and missions. We extend our
deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have died or been
injured during the course of their
duties.
5. NATO reaffirms its long term
commitment to supporting the Government of Afghanistan in building a stable and
democratic Afghanistan, respectful of human rights, capable of securing itself,
and at peace with its neighbours. Recognising that our security is closely
bound to Afghanistan’s, we affirm that the UN mandated NATO led International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) remains our key priority. We condemn the
deliberate tactics and actions by insurgents in complete disregard for human
life. We deplore all civilian casualties. ISAF continues to take all
possible measures to protect civilians and has reinforced its efforts in this
regard. Despite the actions of extremists and terrorists which continue to
threaten the Afghan people, our forces, and stability in the region as a whole,
we have, with Afghanistan and our partners, made progress in realising the
strategic vision set out at the Bucharest Summit, through implementing the four
principles of our Comprehensive Strategic Political Military
Plan:
- A Firm and Shared Commitment among
Allies: We remain determined to provide ISAF with the forces, resources,
and flexibility to ensure the mission’s success. Since the Summit, we have
augmented ISAF’s contribution to Afghanistan with troops and equipment, and we
welcome the strong and growing support from ISAF partner nations. The
Presidential and Provincial elections scheduled for 2009 and the Parliamentary
and District elections scheduled to follow in 2010 will be important milestones
for the democratic development of Afghanistan. ISAF will support the
Afghan Government’s efforts to secure the election process, including through
temporary deployment of additional
forces.
- Support for Enhanced Afghan Leadership and
Responsibility: Significant progress has been made in the development of
the Afghan National Security Forces. They have assumed lead security
responsibility for Kabul City, increasingly taken the lead on security
operations, and begun to extend their reach across the country. We are
committed to supporting expansion of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and to
providing necessary resources, including additional Operational Mentoring and
Liaison Teams. We are also exploring how the ANA Trust Fund could
facilitate this expansion. We similarly support greater efforts by Allied
nations and partners, in coordination with United States and European Union
programmes and missions, to accelerate development of the Afghan National
Police.
- A Comprehensive, Civilian Military
Approach by the International Community: Recognising that there is no
purely military solution, NATO also stands ready to support Afghan led efforts
to achieve a political resolution to the conflict. ISAF will support the
Afghan Government in extending its authority across the country and reaching out
to all its citizens to enable good governance and development, building on the
Afghan National Development Strategy, and the commitments of the Afghanistan
Compact and the Paris Conference. In this respect, we encourage the Afghan
Government to continue investing in good governance. We underscore our
strong support for the leading role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan. Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) continue to play a
significant role in promoting good governance, capacity building, reconstruction
and development. We will work to further enhance PRTs’ unity of effort and
will continue to strengthen linkages between PRT activities and the Afghan
Government’s good governance and community engagement
goals.
- Increased Cooperation with Afghanistan’s
Neighbours, especially Pakistan: As a contribution to promoting regional
peace and stability, we welcome the improving relationship between Kabul and
Islamabad, and recent military action Pakistan has taken against extremists
along its frontier with Afghanistan. We welcome closer NATO
ISAF/Afghan/Pakistani coordination through the Tri Partite Commission and other
fora, and will take steps to improve border security, including exploring the
establishment of more Border Coordination Centres and other possible joint
initiatives. NATO is open to closer military to military cooperation and
an enhanced high level political dialogue with Pakistan. We will continue
our enhanced dialogue with Central Asian Partners and Afghanistan in support of
regional cooperation and a stable Afghanistan, while encouraging their active
contribution, including through finalising transit arrangements of Central Asian
countries with the Alliance.
6. The robust,
UN mandated NATO led KFOR presence will remain in Kosovo on the basis of United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. Throughout Kosovo, NATO and KFOR
will continue to work with the authorities and, bearing in mind its operational
mandate, KFOR will cooperate with and assist the UN, the EU and other
international actors, as appropriate, to support the development of a stable,
democratic, multi ethnic and peaceful Kosovo. The prompt deployment of the
European Union’s Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) throughout all of Kosovo is an
urgent priority, and in this context we note the adoption by the United Nations
Security Council of a statement by its Presidency in support of the
reconfiguration of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). We
strongly encourage the Kosovo authorities and Serbia to cooperate fully with all
relevant actors during and after the period of transfer of authority. We
expect all parties concerned in Kosovo to help prevent violence. We attach
importance to close coordination among all relevant international actors, as
well as with the Kosovo authorities. We welcome the continuing efforts of
these authorities and expect them to implement fully their commitment to
standards, especially those related to the rule of law and regarding the
protection of ethnic minorities and communities, as well as the protection of
historical and religious sites, and to combating crime and corruption.
NATO stands ready to play its part in the implementation of future security
arrangements and, in the framework of NATO’s new tasks, continues to work
towards the standing down of the Kosovo Protection Corps and the establishment
of the Kosovo Security Force on the basis of our voluntary trust
funds.
7. We reiterate the Alliance’s
commitment to support the Government and people of Iraq and to assist with the
development of Iraqi Security Forces. We have responded positively to a
request by Prime Minister Al Maliki to continue the NATO Training Mission Iraq
(NTM I) and expand the mission in several areas, including navy and air force
leadership training, police training, border security, defence reform, defence
institution building, and small arms and light weapons accountability.
NATO is also working with the Government of Iraq on a structured cooperation
framework to develop the Alliance’s long term relationship with
Iraq.
8. Our experience in Afghanistan
and Kosovo shows that today’s security challenges require a comprehensive
approach by the international community, combining civil and military measures
and coordination. Effective implementation of a comprehensive approach
requires the cooperation and contribution of all major actors in a shared sense
of openness and determination. It is essential for all international
actors to act in a concerted effort that takes into account their respective
strengths and mandates. In line with the Action Plan agreed at Bucharest,
work is underway to improve NATO’s own contribution to such a comprehensive
approach, including through a more coherent application of its crisis management
instruments and efforts to associate its military capabilities with civilian
means. As part of the Action Plan, we are developing ways to improve the
planning and conduct of ongoing and future operations, wherever appropriate, as
well as ensuring adequate use of lessons learned, including in training,
education and exercises. We are also strengthening our ability to work
effectively with partner countries, international organisations, non
governmental organisations and local authorities, enhancing synergy at all
levels. We have taken note of a progress report and look forward to
further concrete results by the time of the next Summit. We have shared
the main thrust of our work with major international actors in order to benefit
from their views and input.
9. More than a
decade of cooperation between NATO and the United Nations, especially in the
Balkans and Afghanistan, has demonstrated the value of effective and efficient
coordination between the two organisations. We are determined to further
develop our cooperation in a structured manner, in order to be better able to
address the threats and challenges to which the international community is
called upon to respond. The Joint UN NATO Declaration, which the two
Secretaries General signed in September 2008, is a major step forward in this
direction. It also reaffirms our willingness to provide, within our
respective mandates and capabilities, assistance to regional and sub-regional
organisations, as requested and as
appropriate.
10. As demonstrated by NATO’s rapid
deployment of Operation Allied Provider, we are greatly preoccupied by the
rising incidence of piracy off the Horn of Africa and are committed to assist in
fighting this scourge, in full respect of relevant United Nations Security
Council resolutions. Accordingly, in response to requests by the Secretary
General of the United Nations, NATO and individual Allied nations’ naval forces
are providing a deterrent presence and are escorting World Food Programme
chartered vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Somalia. NATO naval forces
have also provided a maritime security presence and escorted African Union
chartered vessels carrying logistical supplies for the African Union Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM). We welcome the EU’s upcoming ATALANTA operation.
As more actors engage in these important efforts, it is essential to ensure
complementarity among them. NATO stands ready to consider further requests
for the use of Alliance naval assets to combat piracy in this
region.
11. In addition to counter piracy related
assistance, NATO is committed to assist the African Union (AU) and its
peacekeeping and stability operations in other ways as well. We continue
to coordinate airlift support to AMISOM. We are also providing capacity
building support to the AU’s long term peacekeeping capabilities, in particular
the African Standby Force, at the request of the AU. We are prepared to
consider further requests to support the AU, including for regional maritime
capacity building.
12. As noted at Bucharest,
NATO EU relations cover a wide range of issues of common interest relating to
security, defence and crisis management, including the fight against terrorism,
the development of coherent and mutually reinforcing military capabilities, and
civil emergency planning. NATO and the EU also share common values and
strategic interests, and will continue to work side by side in key crisis
management operations, and will avoid unnecessary duplication in a mutual spirit
of transparency while respecting the autonomy of each organisation. Since
Bucharest, various initiatives have been taken as part of the continuing effort
to improve the NATO EU strategic partnership, as agreed by our two
organisations. NATO recognises the importance of a stronger and more
capable European defence, and welcomes the EU’s efforts to strengthen its
capabilities and its capacity to address common security challenges that both
NATO and the EU face today. These developments have significant
implications and relevance for the Alliance as a whole, which is why NATO stands
ready to support and work with the EU in such mutually reinforcing efforts,
recognising the ongoing concerns of Allies. Non EU Allies have made, and
continue to make, significant contributions to these efforts. In this
context, we continue to believe it important that all possible efforts should be
made by all those involved in these endeavours, and also to render possible the
fullest involvement of non EU Allies.
13. Today’s
information environment underlines the need for appropriate, timely, accurate
and responsive communication with local and international audiences in relation
to NATO’s policies and engagement in international operations. We welcome
the progress made in enhancing NATO’s strategic communications capability, as
demonstrated by the rapid response Media Operations Centre as well as NATO’s
television channel on the internet. We underscore our commitment to
support further improvement of our strategic communications by the time of our
2009 Summit.
14. We condemn in the strongest
terms the attacks in Mumbai last week and express our sincerest sympathy to the
victims and their families.
15. We reiterate our
condemnation of all acts of terrorism, irrespective of its motivations or
manifestations. We are determined to fight against terrorism individually
and collectively as long as necessary in accordance with international law and
principles of the United Nations Charter. The Alliance continues to
provide an essential transatlantic dimension to the response against terrorism
and we remain committed to the full implementation of United Nations Security
Council resolutions related to terrorism. We unequivocally condemn all
terrorist acts as unjustifiable and criminal and deplore tactics such as suicide
bombing and hostage taking, as well as the recruitment of the young and
disadvantaged towards these ends. We also condemn terrorist abuse of
freedoms inherent to democratic societies to spread hatred and incite
violence. With the resolve to protect our populations, territories,
infrastructure and forces against terrorist attacks, Allies will continue to
develop their national capabilities in this important area, and to strengthen
the Alliance’s ability to share information and intelligence on terrorism.
Operation Active Endeavour, our maritime operation in the Mediterranean,
continues to make a valuable contribution to the fight against terrorism.
We remain committed to further enhancing our dialogue and cooperation with our
partners in this important area, including in the framework of the Partnership
Action Plan against Terrorism.
16. We look
forward to welcoming Albania and Croatia as new members of the Alliance, which
will strengthen security for all in the Euro Atlantic area. Albania and
Croatia have already accomplished important reforms and are making significant
contributions to our security. As they soon join us in the Alliance’s
continuous transformation and reform process, we encourage Albania and Croatia
to continue making progress on reform before completion of their ongoing
Membership Action Plan (MAP) work and after accession in order to enhance their
contribution to the Alliance. We commend the July 2008 signature of the
Accession Protocols and look forward to the completion of the ratification
process. Our aim is to welcome the two new members into our Alliance at
our next Summit.
17. We reiterate the agreement
of Heads of State and Government at the Bucharest Summit to extend an invitation
to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as soon as a mutually
acceptable solution to the name issue has been reached within the framework of
the UN and urge intensified efforts towards that goal. At the same time,
we will continue to support and assist the reform efforts of the Government of
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
18. We
reaffirm all elements of the decisions regarding Ukraine and Georgia taken by
our Heads of State and Government in Bucharest. Both countries have made
progress, yet both have significant work left to do. Therefore, we have
decided to provide further assistance to both countries in implementing needed
reforms as they progress towards NATO
membership.
19. Through a performance based
process NATO will maximise its advice, assistance, and support for their reform
efforts in the framework of the NATO Ukraine Commission and NATO Georgia
Commission, which have a central role to play in supervising the process set in
hand at the Bucharest Summit. In this context, we have decided to amend
the NATO Ukraine Charter on a Distinctive Partnership together with our
Ukrainian partners to reflect this central role of the NATO Ukraine Commission,
as is already the case in the NATO Georgia Commission. We have also
decided to reinforce the NATO information and liaison offices in Kyiv and
Tbilisi. Finally, without prejudice to further decisions which must be
taken about MAP, we have agreed that under the NATO Georgia Commission and NATO
Ukraine Commission, Annual National Programmes will be developed to help Georgia
and Ukraine advance their reforms, which will be annually reviewed by the
Allies.
20. We welcome the progress made by
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro in their cooperation with the Alliance and
the development of ambitious Individual Partnership Action Plans with both
countries. We expect both countries to maintain the momentum in
implementing these Action Plans and note positively their intention to enhance
integration through regional cooperation initiatives. We welcome the start
of an Intensified Dialogue with both countries on the full range of political,
military, financial, and security issues relating to their aspirations to
membership, without prejudice to any eventual Alliance decision. Without
prejudice to our future decision on Montenegro’s request to participate in the
MAP, we welcome Montenegro’s interest to progress towards Euro Atlantic
integration.
21. Despite progress in some areas,
we are concerned by the deterioration in the political climate in Bosnia and
Herzegovina over the past few months, which puts at risk the constitutional
structure of the country as well as its Euro Atlantic integration
prospects. We encourage all political leaders in the country to take a
more responsible stance and urge early implementation of recent agreements, such
as on defence property. We are deeply concerned by irresponsible political
rhetoric and actions that weaken the Bosnian state and call into question the
existence of its entities, including the break up of the state of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, all of which could have profound implications. The 8 November
2008 political agreement between some Bosnian leaders is a welcome sign of
dialogue. We urge all political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to
implement concrete changes consistent with the Peace Implementation Council’s
requirements for closure of the Office of the High Representative. NATO
continues to remain vigilant and will closely monitor the political
developments. We deem it important that the international presence in
Bosnia and Herzegovina take account of the political and security
situation. NATO remains committed to continuing to support Operation EUFOR
ALTHEA through the Berlin Plus arrangements. As such, we attach utmost
importance to efficient cooperation and consultations between the EU and NATO
and non EU Allies.
22. In light of the new
Serbian Government’s stated commitment to Euro Atlantic values and partnership,
NATO continues to support Serbia's integration into the Euro Atlantic community
of nations. We welcome Serbia’s desire to pursue further practical
cooperation with NATO, including through full use of Partnership for Peace
(PfP). The recent signature of the Agreement with NATO on the Security of
Information represents an important step in this regard. We stand ready to
further develop our partnership, in particular through elaboration of an
Individual Partnership Action Plan in accordance with the PfP principles of
inclusiveness and self differentiation. All NATO partnership opportunities
for political consultation and practical cooperation remain open to
Serbia. We call upon Serbia to influence the parties concerned in Kosovo
to abstain from violence.
23. We acknowledge
Serbia’s recent capture and extradition of the war crimes indictee Radovan
Karad¾iæ and urge Serbia to continue its efforts, in particular to capture and
extradite fugitive Ratko Mladiæ and other remaining fugitives. We continue
to expect Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to cooperate fully with the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and will closely
monitor their respective efforts in this
regard.
24. While we continue to believe in the
importance for Euro Atlantic security of relations between NATO and Russia that
are based on constructive dialogue – including on issues that divide the
Alliance and Russia – and cooperation, recent Russian actions and statements
have seriously diminished our confidence in Moscow’s continuing commitment to
the founding values and principles of the NATO Russia relations. Following
Russia’s disproportionate military actions during the conflict with Georgia in
August, we determined that there could be no business as usual in our relations
with Russia. Russia’s subsequent recognition of the South Ossetia and
Abkhazia regions of Georgia, which we condemn and call upon Russia to reverse,
contravenes the OSCE principles on which the security of Europe is based and the
United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Georgia’s territorial
integrity which Russia endorsed. We reaffirm our adherence to these values
and principles and call on Russia to demonstrate its own commitment to
them. We call upon Russia to refrain from confrontational statements,
including assertions of a sphere of influence, and from threats to the security
of Allies and Partners, such as the one concerning the possible deployment of
short range missiles in the Kaliningrad region. We also call upon Russia
to implement fully the commitments agreed with Georgia, as mediated by the EU on
12 August and 8 September 2008. In the context of Georgia, we view
Russia’s withdrawal from the areas it has committed to leave as an essential
step and welcome the steps taken thus far to implement those commitments, while
underscoring the importance of full access by international monitors and
reminding Russia of its responsibility in terms of security and order. We
express our support for the constructive exchanges between all the parties
involved in the Geneva international discussions aimed at making progress
rapidly on pending issues related to security and humanitarian matters. We
urge Russia, as well as all other relevant actors, to continue to engage
constructively in the resolution of these outstanding issues as the Geneva talks
go forward.
25. The NATO Russia partnership was
conceived as a strategic element in fostering security in the Euro Atlantic
area. Dialogue and cooperation remain important for our joint ability to
meet effectively common security threats and challenges. We have not
conducted business as usual in the NATO Russia Council (NRC) since August.
In a partnership based on common values, the lack of a shared commitment to
those values must naturally cause the relationship and the scope for cooperative
action to suffer. That is reflected in the limited scope of our current
practical cooperation. Taking this into account, we have agreed on a
measured and phased approach: we have mandated the Secretary General to
re-engage with Russia at the political level; agreed to informal discussions in
the NRC; and requested the Secretary General to report back to us prior to any
decision to engage Russia formally in the
NRC.
26. NATO’s policy of outreach through
partnerships, dialogue and cooperation is an essential part of the Alliance's
purpose and tasks. The Alliance's partnerships across the globe have an
enduring value, contributing to stability and security in the Euro Atlantic area
and beyond. We value highly the contributions that our partners are making
to NATO's missions and operations.
27. We remain
committed to substantive political discussions and effective cooperation within
the Euro Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and Partnership for Peace, based on
shared values and principles. NATO expects all Partners to fulfil their
commitments to these values and principles. We encourage and will continue
to support further defence and other reforms, including in the strategically
important regions of the Caucasus and Central Asia. We are looking forward
to the EAPC Security Forum to be held in Kazakhstan in June
2009.
28. We met yesterday with our seven
Mediterranean partners to review the significant progress in the Mediterranean
Dialogue process since our last meeting in 2007, and discuss other issues of
common interest. We look forward to building on this progress and further
deepening our relationship through political dialogue and practical cooperation,
including in the context of the NATO Training Cooperation Initiative and through
the use of trust fund mechanisms, such as those with Jordan. We consider
peace and stability in the Mediterranean region as essential to our own
security. We welcome the offer of the Spanish Government to host the next
Mediterranean Dialogue Ministerial meeting in Spring
2009.
29. We are pleased with the response by the
four Gulf countries participating in our Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI),
including to the NATO Training Cooperation Initiative, and are determined to
further intensify our cooperation in this and other areas. The current
deployment of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 in the Gulf region and the
exercises it is undertaking with ICI partners demonstrate our mutual interest in
developing our ability to operate together.
30.
We are also pleased with the growing interest in many countries beyond the Euro
Atlantic area in developing closer relations with NATO. Many of these
countries support our operations, are involved in practical cooperation with the
Alliance in key areas such as education and training, and engage in regular
consultations with NATO on issues such as the fight against terrorism and the
proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. We are interested in NATO’s
engagement with partners across the globe and further developing our political
dialogue and practical cooperation with these countries in areas of common
interest.
31. NATO’s transformation is a
continual process which demands constant political attention and active
management by the Allies. We must ensure the provision of forces to allow
the Alliance to conduct its full range of missions, including collective defence
and crisis response operations, as envisaged in NATO’s Strategic Concept and
Comprehensive Political Guidance. As an Alliance, we are committed to
develop policies and capabilities to deal with emerging challenges and threats,
taking into account regional and national considerations, and to address the
immediate security concerns of all Allies. To that end, we welcome the
decision taken on increasing political targets for deployability of land
forces. In addition, the Alliance will continue efforts to be able to
deploy the NATO Response Force by providing the necessary forces. The
Alliance will, through NATO’s evolving defence planning process, further develop
the capabilities required to conduct the full range of our missions and to
remedy specific shortfalls. We will work particularly at improving
strategic lift, enhancing the availability of mission capable helicopters, and
further strengthening our cyber defence. We remain committed to the
development of a comprehensive policy for preventing the proliferation of
Weapons of Mass Destruction and enhancing Alliance chemical, biological,
radiological and nuclear defence.
32. Ballistic
missile proliferation poses an increasing threat to Allies’ forces, territory,
and populations. Missile defence forms part of a broader response to
counter this threat. We therefore recognise the substantial contribution
to the protection of Allies from long range ballistic missiles to be provided by
the planned deployment of European based United States missile defence
assets. As tasked at the Bucharest Summit, we are exploring ways to link
this capability with current NATO missile defence efforts as a way to ensure
that it would be an integral part of any future NATO wide missile defence
architecture. Bearing in mind the principle of indivisibility of Allied
security as well as NATO solidarity, Allies took note of progress on the
development of options for a comprehensive missile defence architecture to
extend coverage to all European Allied territory and populations not otherwise
covered by the United States system for review at our 2009 Summit to inform any
future political decision. As all options include the planned deployment
of European based United States missile defence assets, we note as a relevant
development the signature of agreements by the Czech Republic and the Republic
of Poland with the United States regarding those assets. As Defence
Ministers did at their Budapest Ministerial in October 2008, we also noted today
the plan to complete the analysis of options for a comprehensive missile defence
architecture by the Defence Ministerial in Krakow in February 2009. A
report on these options will be presented to Heads of State and Government for
review at their next Summit. We continue to support the work underway to
strengthen missile defence cooperation between Russia and NATO, and remain
committed to maximum transparency and reciprocal confidence building measures to
allay any concerns, as stated at the Bucharest Summit. We also encourage
Russia to take advantage of United States missile defence cooperation proposals
and we remain ready to explore the potential for linking United States, NATO and
Russian missile defence systems at an appropriate
time.
33. We reaffirm that arms control,
disarmament and non proliferation will continue to make an important
contribution to peace, security and stability, as part of a broader response to
security issues. We have noted the implementation report on raising NATO’s
profile in this field. The report displays a broad range of activities
being undertaken, including continuing efforts in preventing the spread of
Weapons of Mass Destruction, and the destruction of excess small arms and light
weapons and surplus munitions. We aim at achieving a higher level of
public awareness of NATO’s contribution in the field of arms control,
disarmament and non proliferation. The Council in Permanent Session will
keep these issues under active review.
34. We
place the highest value on the CFE Treaty regime with all its elements. We
underscore the strategic importance of the CFE Treaty, including its flank
regime, as a cornerstone of Euro Atlantic Security. We reiterate the
endorsement by Heads of State and Government at the Bucharest Summit of the
statement of the North Atlantic Council of 28 March 2008. We reaffirm the
Alliance’s commitment to the CFE Treaty regime, as expressed in the Alliance’s
position contained in paragraph 42 of the 2006 Riga Summit Declaration, the
final statement by Allies at the CFE Extraordinary Conference in Vienna and
Alliance statements reflecting subsequent developments. We are deeply
concerned that, for nearly a full year, since 12 December 2007, Russia has
continued its unilateral “suspension” of its legal obligations under the CFE
Treaty. Furthermore, Russia’s actions in Georgia have called into question
its commitment to the fundamental OSCE principles on which stability and
security in Europe are based: principles which underpin the CFE Treaty.
These actions run counter to our common objective of preserving the long term
viability of the CFE regime and we call upon Russia to resume its implementation
without further delay. Because of our commitment to cooperative security
and fulfilment of international agreements as well as the importance we attach
to the confidence that results from military transparency and predictability, we
have continued fully to implement the Treaty despite Russia’s
“suspension”. However, the current situation, where NATO CFE Allies
implement the Treaty while Russia does not, cannot last indefinitely. Over
a year ago, we offered a set of constructive and forward looking proposals for
parallel actions on key issues, including steps by NATO Allies on ratification
of the Adapted CFE Treaty and by Russia on outstanding commitments related to
Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. We continue to believe that these
proposals address all of Russia’s stated concerns. We urge Russia to work
cooperatively with us and other concerned CFE States Parties to reach agreement
on the basis of the parallel actions package so that together we can preserve
the benefits of this landmark regime.
35. We
remain concerned with the persistence of regional conflicts in the South
Caucasus and the Republic of Moldova. We continue to support the
territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. Peaceful conflict resolution founded
on these principles has gained increased relevance for overall stability in the
region. We will further support efforts to this aim, and stand ready to
enter into consultations with these countries on matters of regional
concern. We will also support these countries in their efforts to make
full use of the mechanisms for conflict prevention and peaceful conflict
resolution.
36. We commend the initiatives
to strengthen cooperation, security and stability in the Black Sea region and
will continue to support the regional efforts to this
end.
37. In line with the Bucharest Summit report
on NATO’s role in energy security, the Alliance has continued to consult on the
most immediate risks in the field of energy security, as part of our concerns
over the risk of disruption of the flow of vital resources. In Bucharest,
Allies identified principles which govern NATO’s approach in the field of energy
security, and outlined options and recommendations for further activities.
The Alliance has accordingly started a process of implementation of activities
in the five areas identified in the report, including through dialogue and
practical cooperation on a case by case basis with its partners, relevant
international organisations and the private sector, with a view to promoting
energy security in those areas in which NATO can add value. We note the
progress achieved and look forward to a consolidated report on the subject of
energy security for consideration at the 2009
Summit.
38. We are determined to give new impetus
to the reform of NATO Headquarters. Our aim is to make the work of the
Headquarters more effective, responsive, transparent and resource efficient to
support our consensual decision making. We welcome the work set in train
by the Secretary General in response to the request of our Heads of State and
Government in Bucharest, and note the substantial discussion in subsequent
Defence Ministers’ meetings in London and Budapest. We look forward to the
Secretary General reporting to the next meeting of Defence Ministers, as well as
to our next meeting, on progress in this work and with further proposals to
contribute to the Alliance’s ability to conduct the full range of its operations
and missions and to meet today’s security
challenges.
39. At our meeting today we have
reviewed progress in implementing the Bucharest Summit decisions, discussed the
key security challenges facing the Alliance, and agreed on measures to enhance
Alliance operations. We have set the stage for a successful 60th
Anniversary Summit next year where our Heads of State and Government will adopt
a Declaration on Alliance Security which will articulate the Alliance’s vision
of its role in meeting the evolving challenges of the 21st century and
maintaining the ability to perform the full range of its missions, collectively
defending our security at home and contributing to stability
abroad.
1.
Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional
name.
2. As complemented by President
Sarkozy’s clarifications and correspondence on this issue.