Press
Release
(2006)150
En. / Fr. / Ru. / Ukr.
29 Nov. 2006 |
Riga
Summit Declaration
Issued by the Heads of State and Government
participating in the meeting
of the North Atlantic Council
in Riga on 29 November 2006
- We, the Heads of State and Government of the member
countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, reaffirm today in Riga
our resolve to meet the security challenges of the 21st century
and defend our populations and common values, while maintaining a strong
collective defence as the core purpose of our Alliance. Our 26 nations
are united in democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law, and
faithful to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
- The principle of the indivisibility of Allied security
is fundamental, and our solidarity gives us the strength to meet new
challenges together. In today’s evolving security environment, we
confront complex, sometimes inter-related threats such as terrorism,
increasingly global in scale and lethal in results, and the proliferation
of Weapons of Mass Destruction and their means of delivery, as well
as challenges from instability due to failed or failing states. This
puts a premium on the vital role NATO plays as the essential forum
for security consultation between North American and European Allies.
It highlights the importance of common action against those threats,
including in UN-mandated crisis response operations. It also underscores
the importance of continuing transformation of NATO’s capabilities
and relationships, which includes our operations and missions, strong
investment in enhanced capabilities, and closer engagement with our
partners, other nations and organisations. We have today endorsed
our Comprehensive Political Guidance which provides a framework and
political direction for NATO’s continuing transformation, setting out,
for the next 10-15 years, the priorities for all Alliance capability
issues, planning disciplines and intelligence.
- From Afghanistan to the Balkans and from the Mediterranean
Sea to Darfur, in six challenging missions and operations in three
geographic regions, we are advancing peace and security and standing
shoulder-to-shoulder with those who defend our common values of democracy
and freedom as embodied in the Washington Treaty. We are working closely
with our partners and other nations in these endeavours. We pay tribute
to the professionalism and dedication of the more than fifty thousand
men and women from Allied and other nations dedicated to these tasks,
and extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of
the injured and the fallen.
- We stand with the Government of President Karzai and
the people of Afghanistan who seek to build a stable, democratic and
prosperous society, free from terrorism, narcotics and fear, providing
for its own security and at peace with its neighbours. Afghans have
accomplished much in the last five years. Democratically elected institutions
are in place, and the implementation of national reconstruction and
development strategies is improving the lives of millions. We are
committed to an enduring role to support the Afghan authorities, in
cooperation with other international actors.
- Contributing to peace and stability in Afghanistan is
NATO’s key priority. In cooperation with Afghan National Security
Forces and in coordination with other international actors, we will
continue to support the Afghan authorities in meeting their responsibilities
to provide security, stability and reconstruction across Afghanistan
through the UN-mandated NATO-led International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF), respecting international law and making every effort
to avoid harm to the civilian population. We reaffirm the strong solidarity
of our Alliance, and pledge to ensure that ISAF has the forces, resources,
and flexibility needed to ensure the mission’s continued success.
Moreover, the Afghan Government and NATO are working together to develop
democratically-controlled defence institutions. We have agreed today
to increase our support to the training and further development of
the Afghan National Army, and decided to make stronger national contributions
to Afghan National Police training. We welcome the continued contribution
of partners and other nations to the ISAF mission and encourage all
members of the international community to contribute to this essential
effort.
- There can be no security in Afghanistan without development,
and no development without security. The Afghan people have set
out their security, governance, and development goals in the Afghanistan
Compact, concluded with the international community at the beginning
of the year. Provincial Reconstruction Teams are increasingly at the
leading edge of NATO’s effort, supported by military forces capable
of providing the security and stability needed to foster civilian activity.
Guided by the principle of local ownership, our nations will support
the Afghan Government’s National Development Strategy and its efforts
to build civilian capacity and develop its institutions. We encourage
other nations and international organisations, notably the UN and the
World Bank, to do the same. NATO will play its full role, but cannot
assume the entire burden. We welcome efforts by donor nations, the
European Union (EU), and other international organisations to increase
their support. We also welcome the steps already taken by the international
community to improve the coordination of civilian and military activities,
including dialogue between capitals and international organisations,
and are convinced of the need to take this further. We encourage the
UN to take a leading role in this regard in support of the Afghan Government.
- We support the Government of Afghanistan’s work to demonstrate
decisive leadership, including reaching out to the provinces, strengthening
the rule of law, tackling corruption and taking resolute measures against
illegal narcotics. We further recognise the need to disrupt the networks
that finance, supply and equip terrorists who threaten the government
and people of Afghanistan. We recognise the linkage between narcotics
and insurgents in Afghanistan and will continue to support the Afghan
Government’s counter-narcotics efforts, within ISAF’s mandate.
- We call on all Afghanistan’s neighbours to act resolutely
in support of the Afghan government’s efforts to build a stable and
democratic country within secure borders. We particularly encourage
close cooperation between Afghanistan, Pakistan and NATO, including
through the Tri-Partite Commission.
- In Kosovo, a robust UN-mandated KFOR presence has been
crucial in helping to maintain security and promoting the political
process. NATO will remain ready to respond quickly to any threats
to the safe and secure environment. We will play our part in the implementation
of the security provisions of a settlement, and cooperate closely with
the population of Kosovo, the EU and other international actors to
promote stability and to assist in building a Kosovo security system
that is democratically controlled and ethnically representative, and
that enjoys legitimacy throughout Kosovo. We attach great importance
to standards implementation especially regarding the safeguarding of
minority and community rights and the protection of historical and
religious sites, and to combating crime and corruption. We fully support
UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari in his efforts to conclude the process
and we call on all parties to work together with the UN Special Envoy
in a constructive manner, show flexibility in the process, meet the
internationally endorsed standards and participate in local civic institutions.
This should result in a settlement that improves stability in Southeast
Europe, enhances the entire region’s prospects for integration with
Euro-Atlantic institutions and is acceptable to the people of Kosovo.
As in Afghanistan, success in Kosovo will depend on a concerted effort.
Accordingly, NATO activity to provide a secure environment will continue
to be coordinated with the activities of the UN, the EU and the OSCE
to build governance and support reform.
- Experience in Afghanistan and Kosovo demonstrates that
today’s challenges require a comprehensive approach by the international
community involving a wide spectrum of civil and military instruments,
while fully respecting mandates and autonomy of decisions of all actors,
and provides precedents for this approach. To that end, while recognising
that NATO has no requirement to develop capabilities strictly for civilian
purposes, we have tasked today the Council in Permanent Session to
develop pragmatic proposals in time for the meeting of Foreign Ministers
in April 2007 and Defence Ministers in June 2007 to improve coherent
application of NATO’s own crisis management instruments as well as
practical cooperation at all levels with partners, the UN and other
relevant international organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations
and local actors in the planning and conduct of ongoing and future
operations wherever appropriate. These proposals should take into
account emerging lessons learned and consider flexible options for
the adjustment of NATO military and political planning procedures with
a view to enhancing civil-military interface.
- NATO’s policy of partnerships, dialogue, and cooperation
is essential to the Alliance’s purpose and its tasks. It has fostered
strong relationships with countries of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership
Council (EAPC), the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), and the Istanbul Cooperation
Initiative (ICI), as well as with Contact Countries. NATO's partnerships
have an enduring value, contributing to stability and security across
the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond. NATO's missions and operations have
also demonstrated the political and operational value of these relationships:
eighteen nations outside the Alliance contribute forces and provide
support to our operations and missions, and others have expressed interest
in working more closely with NATO.
- With this in mind, we task the Council in Permanent Session
to further develop this policy, in particular to:
- fully develop the political and practical potential of NATO’s
existing cooperation programmes: EAPC/Partnership for Peace (PfP),
MD and ICI, and its relations with Contact Countries, in accordance
with the decisions of our Istanbul Summit;
- increase the operational relevance of relations with non-NATO countries,
including interested Contact Countries; and in particular to strengthen
NATO’s ability to work with those current and potential contributors
to NATO operations and mission, who share our interests and values;
- increase NATO’s ability to provide practical advice on, and assistance
in, the defence and security-related aspects of reform in countries
and regions where NATO is engaged.
- Together, we will pursue these objectives, subject to
North Atlantic Council (NAC) decisions, by:
- making consultations with PfP Partners more focused and reflective
of priorities, including by adapting the EAPC process and by making
full use of the different formats of NATO’s interaction with Partners,
as provided for in the EAPC Basic Document and agreed at our Prague
and Istanbul Summits;
- enabling the Alliance to call ad-hoc meetings as events arise with
those countries who contribute to or support our operations and missions
politically, militarily and in other ways and those who are potential
contributors, considering their interest in specific regions where
NATO is engaged. This will be done using flexible formats for consultation
meetings of Allies with one or more interested partners (members the
EAPC, MD or the ICI) and/or interested Contact Countries, based on
the principles of inclusiveness, transparency and self-differentiation;
- strengthening NATO’s ability to work effectively with individual
countries by opening up for consideration those partnership tools currently
available to EAPC countries to our partners in the MD and the ICI,
as well as interested Contact Countries, on a case-by-case basis.
- We will continue to follow closely how all Partners fulfil
their commitments to the values and principles they have adhered to
under the EAPC and the PfP. We reiterate the right of any Partner
to seek consultations with the Alliance. We welcome the progress made
by Individual Partnership Action Plan countries and encourage further
reform efforts. 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.
- We welcome the progress achieved in implementing the
more ambitious and expanded framework for the Mediterranean Dialogue
(MD) agreed at our Istanbul Summit, and we remain committed to it,
including through the decisions we have taken today.
- We also look forward to using the new pragmatic approach
we have adopted today to enhance our relationship with MD and ICI countries
as well as interested Contact Countries.
- Since our Istanbul Summit, NATO’s expertise in training
has developed further while our partnership with the nations in the
broader Middle East region has matured and grown in importance to NATO
operations and missions. In this light, we have today launched the
NATO Training Cooperation Initiative in the modernisation of defence
structures and the training of security forces. The Alliance stands
ready, in the spirit of joint ownership, and taking into account available
resources, to share its training expertise with our MD and ICI partners
from the broader region of the Middle East. Through an evolutionary
and phased approach building on existing structures and programmes,
we will set up to the benefit of our partners and NATO nations an expanding
network of NATO training
activities. An initial phase will include expanding the participation
of these partners in relevant existing NATO training and education programmes,
partnership activities, and Allied training facilities to meet Allies’
and partners’ needs, as well as the establishment of a Middle East faculty
at the NATO Defense College. As a second phase, NATO could consider
supporting the establishment of a Security Cooperation Centre in the
region, to be owned by the MD and ICI countries, with regional funding
and NATO assistance. A decision on contributing to the establishment
of such a NATO supported centre would be based on overall political considerations,
appropriate preparatory work by the Alliance and with partners, and experience
gained in all aspects of the initial phase. Various sources of funding,
including voluntary funding, for example trust funds, will be
considered. We look forward to the timely implementation of this initiative,
in close consultation with our partners.
- All Allies continue to contribute to the NATO mission
in Iraq, consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution
1546, to support the Iraqi security forces through training, in or out
of the country, equipping, or contributing to trust funds. Our training
mission is a demonstration of our support for the Iraqi people and their
government, and for the stability, democratic development, unity and
territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq, in accordance with relevant
United Nations Security Council resolutions. In response to a request
from the Prime Minister of Iraq, we have asked the NATO Military Authorities
to develop additional niche training options to support Iraqi security
forces where military expertise is required, within the mandate of the
NATO Training Mission-Iraq. This demonstrates our continued commitment
to help Iraq build effective and sustainable multi-ethnic security
forces.
- We are deeply concerned by the continued fighting in
Darfur as well as the worsening humanitarian situation and call on
all parties to abide by the ceasefire. We are concerned about the
regional implications of the conflict. We welcome the conclusions
of the 16 November 2006 meeting in Addis Ababa for an African Union
(AU) / UN hybrid peacekeeping mission and urge the Government of Sudan
to implement them. NATO continues to support the ongoing AU mission
and is ready, following consultation with and the agreement of the
AU, to broaden that support. The Alliance is committed to continued
coordination with all actors involved, in particular the AU, the UN
and the EU, including with respect to possible support for a follow-on
mission with airlift and training.
- We strongly condemn terrorism, whatever its motivations
or manifestations, and will fight it together as long as necessary,
in accordance with international law and UN principles. The Alliance
continues to provide an essential transatlantic dimension to the response
against terrorism. Operation Active Endeavour, our maritime operation
in the Mediterranean, continues to make an important contribution to
the fight against terrorism and we welcome the support of partner countries
which has further enhanced its effectiveness. We remain committed
to our dialogue and cooperation with our partners and other international
organisations to fight terrorism, and reiterate our determination to
protect our populations, territories, infrastructure and forces against
the consequences of terrorist attacks. We commend NATO’s Defence Against
Terrorism initiatives, including development of cutting-edge technologies
to counter terrorist threats, such as defending Allied forces in Afghanistan
from Improvised Explosive Devices. We call upon Allies to continue
to develop and fully implement their national capabilities in this
important area, and to strengthen the Alliance’s ability to share information
and intelligence on terrorism, especially in support of NATO operations.
- We support the promotion of common values, reform, and
dialogue, among different peoples and cultures. In this regard, we
acknowledge the initiative on an “Alliance of Civilisations” launched
by the UN Secretary General, and the G8 “Forum for the Future”
initiative.
- Continuing defence transformation is essential to ensure
that the Alliance remains able to perform its full range of missions,
including collective defence and crisis response operations. Our operations
in Afghanistan and the Balkans confirm that NATO needs modern, highly
capable forces – forces that can move quickly to wherever they are
needed upon decision by the NAC. Building on our decisions at the
Summits in Prague and Istanbul, much has already been done to make
Alliance forces more capable and usable. We will strengthen capabilities
further in accordance with the direction and priorities of the Comprehensive
Political Guidance.
- The establishment of the NATO Response Force (NRF) which
today is at full operational capability has been a key development.
It plays a vital part in the Alliance’s response to a rapidly emerging
crisis. It also serves as a catalyst for transformation and interoperability
and will enhance the overall quality of our armed forces, not only
for NATO, but also for EU, UN or national purposes. We support the
improved implementation of the agreed NRF concept through mechanisms
to enhance long term force generation, and steps to allow for a more
sustainable and transparent approach to maintain the capability of
the force in the future.
- The adaptation of our forces must continue. We have endorsed
a set of initiatives to increase the capacity of our forces to address
contemporary threats and challenges.
These include:
- improving our ability to conduct and support multinational
joint expeditionary operations far from home territory with little
or no host nation support and to sustain them for extended periods.
This requires forces that are fully deployable, sustainable and
interoperable and the means to deploy them;
- commitments to increase strategic airlift, crucial to the rapid
deployment of forces, to address identified persistent shortages.
Multinational initiatives by NATO members and Partners include
the already operational Strategic Airlift Interim Solution; the
intent of a consortium to pool C-17 airlift assets, and offers
to coordinate support structures for A-400M strategic airlift.
Nationally, Allies have or plan to acquire a large number of C-17
and A-400M aircraft. There have also been significant developments
in the collective provision of sealift since the Prague Summit;
- the launch of a special operations forces transformation initiative
aimed at increasing their ability to train and operate together, including
through improving equipment capabilities;
- ensuring the ability to bring military support to stabilisation operations
and reconstruction efforts in all phases of a crisis, as required and
as set out in the Comprehensive Political Guidance, drawing on lessons
learned and emerging from current operations on the added value of
such military support;
- work to develop a NATO Network Enabled Capability to share information,
data and intelligence reliably, securely and without delay in Alliance
operations, while improving protection of our key information systems
against cyber attack;
- the activation of an Intelligence Fusion Centre to improve information
and intelligence sharing for Alliance operations;
- continuing progress in the Alliance Ground Surveillance programme,
with a view to achieving real capabilities to support Alliance forces;
- continuing efforts to develop capabilities to counter chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear threats;
- transforming the Alliance’s approach to logistics, in part through
greater reliance on multinational solutions;
- efforts to ensure that the command structure is lean, efficient and
more effective; and
- the signature of the first major contract for a NATO Active Layered
Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence system which is a major step towards
improving the protection of deployed NATO forces.
- At Prague we initiated a Missile Defence Feasibility
Study in response to the increasing missile threat. We welcome its
recent completion. It concludes that missile defence is technically
feasible within the limitations and assumptions of the study. We tasked
continued work on the political and military implications of missile
defence for the Alliance including an update on missile threat developments.
- We are committed to continuing to provide, individually
and collectively, the resources that are necessary to allow our Alliance
to perform the tasks that we demand from it. Therefore, we encourage
nations whose defence spending is declining to halt that decline and
to aim to increase defence spending in real terms. As set out in the
Comprehensive Political Guidance, the development of capabilities will
not be possible without the commitment of sufficient resources. Those
resources should be used efficiently and focused on the priorities
identified in the Comprehensive Political Guidance.
- We endorse the drive for greater efficiency and effectiveness
in NATO Headquarters and its funding practices.
- In the Western Balkans, Euro-Atlantic integration, based
on solidarity and democratic values, remains necessary for long-term
stability. This requires cooperation in the region, good-neighbourly
relations, and working towards mutually acceptable solutions to outstanding
issues.
- NATO’s ongoing enlargement process has been an historic
success in advancing stability, peace and cooperation in Europe and
the vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. In keeping with
our pledge to maintain an open door to the admission of additional
Alliance members in the future, we reaffirm that NATO remains open
to new European members
under Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty. The Membership Action
Plan (MAP) is a crucial stage in preparing countries for possible NATO
membership. All European democratic countries may be considered for
MAP or admission, subject to decisions by the NAC at each stage, based
on the performance of these countries towards meeting the objectives
of the North Atlantic Treaty. We direct that NATO Foreign Ministers
keep that process under continual review and report to us.
- We welcome the efforts of Albania, Croatia, and the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) to
prepare themselves for the responsibilities and obligations of membership.
We commend their increasing contributions to international peacekeeping
and security operations as well as their common efforts to advance
regional cooperation. At our next summit in 2008, the Alliance intends
to extend further invitations to those countries who meet NATO’s performance
based standards and are able to contribute to Euro-Atlantic security
and stability.
- We welcome the improved conduct of Parliamentary elections
in Albania in July 2005. Sustained efforts to combat corruption
and organised crime are of critical importance. We encourage continued
progress, particularly on the rule of law and defence reforms.
- We welcome Croatia’s full cooperation with International
Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and its significant
progress in furthering political, economic, rule of law and defence
reform, which must be sustained, and encourage further efforts to ensure
that its membership aspirations are backed by stronger popular support.
- We welcome the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s
successful conduct of Parliamentary elections in 2006, and the strong
efforts to deepen political, economic, defence, rule of law and judicial
reform, which must be sustained.
- We firmly believe that Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro
and Serbia can offer valuable contributions to regional stability and
security. We strongly support the ongoing reform processes and want
to encourage further positive developments in the region on its path
towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
- NATO will further enhance cooperation on defence reform
with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, and will offer advice and assistance
as Montenegro builds its defence capabilities.
- Taking into account the importance of long term stability
in the Western Balkans and acknowledging the progress made so far by
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, we have today invited
these three countries to join Partnership for Peace and the Euro-Atlantic
Partnership Council. In taking this step, we reaffirm the importance
we attach to the values and principles set out in the EAPC and PfP
basic documents, and notably expect Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
to cooperate fully with the ICTY. We will closely monitor their respective
efforts in this regard.
- We reaffirm that the Alliance will continue with Georgia
and Ukraine its Intensified Dialogues which cover the full range of
political, military, financial, and security issues relating to those
countries’ aspirations to membership, without prejudice to any eventual
Alliance decision.
- We reaffirm the importance of the NATO-Ukraine Distinctive
Partnership, which has its 10th anniversary next year and welcome the
progress that has been made in the framework of our Intensified Dialogue.
We appreciate Ukraine’s substantial contributions to our common security,
including through participation in NATO-led operations and efforts
to promote regional cooperation. We encourage Ukraine to continue
to contribute to regional security. We are determined to continue
to assist, through practical cooperation, in the implementation of
far-reaching reform efforts, notably in the fields of national security,
defence, reform of the defence-industrial sector and fighting corruption.
- We welcome the commencement of an Intensified Dialogue
with Georgia as well as Georgia’s contribution to international peacekeeping
and security operations. We will continue to engage actively with
Georgia in support of its reform process. We encourage Georgia to
continue progress on political, economic and military reforms, including
strengthening judicial reform, as well as the peaceful resolution of
outstanding conflicts on its territory. We reaffirm that it is of
great importance that all parties in the region should engage constructively
to promote regional peace and stability.
- The NATO-Russia partnership remains a strategic element
in fostering security in the Euro-Atlantic area. As we look towards
the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Founding Act and the 5th
anniversary of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) in May 2007, we welcome
progress made in intensifying political dialogue and practical cooperation
between NATO and Russia, and believe that the cooperative agenda set
forth in the May 2002 Rome Declaration has not yet achieved its
full potential. Much work remains to be done to this end, and we call
on Russia to join us in enhancing our cooperation on key security issues,
including the fight against terrorism. We look forward to Russia’s
early ratification of the PfP Status of Forces Agreement, which would
facilitate the further intensification of our practical cooperation,
in particular military-to-military projects. We value Russia’s contribution
to Operation Active Endeavour, and our practical cooperation in countering
narcotics trafficking in Afghanistan and Central Asia. We are prepared
to strengthen and deepen cooperation within the NRC by making its existing
structures more effective, and to continue working together as equal
partners in areas of common concern and interest where our cooperation
can provide added value, as envisaged by the Rome Declaration.
- NATO and the EU share common values and strategic interests.
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. Our successful cooperation
in the Western Balkans, including through the Berlin Plus arrangements
regarding EU operation Althea, is contributing to peace and security.
We will strive for improvements in the NATO-EU strategic partnership
as agreed by our two organisations, to achieve closer cooperation and
greater efficiency, and avoid unnecessary duplication, in a spirit
of transparency and respecting the autonomy of the two organisations.
A stronger EU will further contribute to our common security.
- We reaffirm our commitment to the CFE Treaty
as a cornerstone of European security and to the early entry into force
of the Adapted Treaty, which would permit accession by new States Parties.
The 3rd Review Conference underscored the vital importance we attach
to the CFE Treaty and we are determined to maintain our constructive
approach to conventional arms control. Fulfilment of the remaining
Istanbul commitments on the Republic of Georgia and the Republic of
Moldova will create the conditions for Allies and other States Parties
to move forward on ratification of the Adapted CFE Treaty. We welcome
the important agreement signed by Russia and Georgia on 31 March
2006 on the withdrawal of Russian forces, and the progress made since
then. We note with regret the continued lack of progress on withdrawal
of Russian military forces from the Republic of Moldova and we call
upon Russia to resume and complete its withdrawal as soon as possible.
- We regret the persistence of regional conflicts in the
South Caucasus and the Republic of Moldova. Our nations support the
territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, and the Republic of Moldova. We support continued efforts
to achieve peaceful settlements to the conflicts involving these countries.
- We fully support the United Nations Security Council’s
determination that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear
test constitutes a clear threat to international peace and security
and the Council’s demand that the Iranian government suspend all enrichment-related
and reprocessing activities including research and development to be
verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency. We expect that
both governments comply fully with the demands of relevant United Nations
Security Council resolutions. We express our support to ongoing diplomatic
efforts in this respect. We reiterate that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty remains the cornerstone of non-proliferation and disarmament,
and call for the full compliance with it by all States Parties to the
Treaty. We reaffirm that arms control and non-proliferation will continue
to play a major role in preventing the spread and use of Weapons of
Mass Destruction and their means of delivery. Current proliferation
challenges underline the importance of strengthening national measures,
implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540,
and existing multilateral non-proliferation and export control regimes
and international arms control and disarmament accords, including the
Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention
and the Hague Code of Conduct against the Proliferation of Ballistic
Missiles.
- As underscored in NATO’s Strategic Concept, Alliance
security interests can also be affected by the disruption of the flow
of vital resources. We support a coordinated, international effort
to assess risks to energy infrastructures and to promote energy infrastructure
security. With this in mind, we direct the Council in Permanent Session
to consult on the most immediate risks in the field of energy security,
in order to define those areas where NATO may add value to safeguard
the security interests of the Allies and, upon request, assist national
and international efforts.
- We express our deep appreciation for the gracious hospitality
extended to us by our Latvian hosts. Here in Latvia, a nation whose
accession to NATO has strengthened security for all in the Euro-Atlantic
area and brought us closer to our common goal of a Europe whole and
free, united in peace and by common values, we have reaffirmed the
indispensable link between North America and Europe, and underlined
our commitment to the continuing transformation of our Alliance. The
decisions we have taken together, along with the work we have directed,
demonstrate that the Alliance is adapting to the 21st century security
environment, through its operations, transformed defence capabilities
and deeper engagements with countries in and beyond the Euro-Atlantic
Area, as well as continued internal reform. These efforts will strengthen
our mission in Afghanistan and the Alliance’s ability to meet further
challenges. We will meet next in Spring 2008 in order to assess progress,
and give further direction to NATO’s ongoing transformation, including
our enlargement process.
- Turkey recognises
the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.
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