Press Communiqué
NATO PARLIAMENTARIANS CALL FOR A POLITICAL INITIATIVE
ON AFGHANISTAN AT UPCOMING RIGA SUMMIT
The NATO-Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) has called for a political
initiative on Afghanistan during the upcoming summit of NATO heads of
state and government in Riga, Latvia later this month.
In a resolution on Afghanistan, based on a report by Dutch
Parliamentarian and incoming President of the Assembly Bert Koenders, the
NATO PA underlined the need for:
- a
strengthened balance between security and military operations and
reconstruction efforts. This could be done by giving priority to projects
and by developing and implementing a common and comprehensive policy to
tackle drug production and create alternative livelihood.
- by
strictly applying international humanitarian law and the Geneva
Conventions in order to win the “hearts and minds” of the Afghan
people
- an
improvement in NATO-United Nations and NATO-European Union
co-ordination
- devising
common and strong policies towards the government of President Hamid
Karzai and the government of neighbouring Pakistan
- increasing
the effectiveness of NATOÂ’s joint operations which will require a 100
percent implementation of required troop levels.
The NATO PA, the parliamentary arm of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organisation (NATO), consists of some 248delegates from 26 member states.
Delegates from associate countries and Parliamentary Observer delegations
also attend the session.
It is currently holding its 5-day annual session in Québec City. Much of
the session has been taken up by a debate over NATOÂ’s mission in
Afghanistan.
CanadaÂ’s Defence Minister Gordon OÂ’Connor, whose country has committed
forces to the operation, has requested greater support from other NATO
allies. “Reconstruction and development of Afghanistan are a vital part
of ensuring Canada’s mission is a success,” he told reporters earlier
this week.
CanadaÂ’s mission in Afghanistan goes beyond military operations because
“we know that success in our mission cannot be assured by military means
alone.” He stressed other areas where NATO’s presence had led to success,
notably establishing health care for local people and
elections.
“Taliban attacks have quieted down in the Kandahar area in recent weeks,”
Mr OÂ’Connor said, adding that Canadian troops are prepared if insurgent
activity starts up again.
Background
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly, founded in 1955 with a
Brussels-based secretariat,
brings together 248national parliamentarians from the 26 NATO countries.
In addition, 13 associate delegations from Central and Eastern Europe,
Ukraine and Russia;
4Mediterranean Associate delegations: Morocco, Algeria, Jordan,
Israel
and 8 Parliamentary Observer delegations participate in Assembly
activities and meetings.
NATO Parliamentary Assembly
International Secretariat
Place du Petit Sablon 3, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tél: (32) 2 513 28 65 | Fax: (32) 2 514 18 47 | website:
http://
www.nato-pa.int |