NATO HQ 26 Apr. 2006

Opening Remarks by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer for the CNAD PRT exhibition Ladies and gentlemen, It is a great pleasure to be here today to host the CNAD exhibition: “Technology Support to PRTs”. This is a very timely event. NATO is currently expanding its role in Afghanistan, and the number of Provincial Reconstruction Teams is growing. Today we have nine Provincial Reconstruction Teams, and ISAF is currently conducting reconstruction and stabilization work over half of that country, an area the size of Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom combined. As we enter stage III, that will expand even further. PRTs are combined teams of international civilian and military personnel who work on everything from providing a secure environment to concrete projects in education and health, to the training of units for the new Afghan National Army and National Police. PRTs assist with managing air traffic and weapons’ storage as well as supporting the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants. They are joint, multinational units that provide the flexibility we need to address the wide range of challenges in Afghanistan. In short, PRTs are a truly innovative concept. As such they require innovative technologies and a wider range of more flexible capabilities. This CNAD exhibition on “Technology Support to PRTs” offers a unique opportunity for Allied industries, research institutions, as well as military authorities and National Armaments’ Directors (NADs) to consider interesting solutions for PRT requirements. This exhibition offers a useful opportunity for participants to establish contacts with NATO and national delegations’ representatives. The selected exhibitors represent a balanced mix of companies from 18 NATO nations. It is my hope, through their innovative products, that NATO may find ways to further increase the effectiveness of our PRTs, to help us address the crucial tasks the Alliance is undertaking in Afghanistan. In closing, I thank the Defense Investment staff and the National Armaments Directors, and their personal representatives, who worked so hard to make this event possible. In renewing my welcome to you all, I invite you to join me in a visit of the exhibition.