Opening statement

by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council with Invitees
in the presence of the Vice President of the United States, Mr. Joseph Biden

Good morning and welcome to this special meeting of the North Atlantic Council.

Today, we are very privileged to welcome among us the Vice Pesident of the United States of America, Joseph Biden.  

Mr. Vice President, on behalf of the North Atlantic Council let me extend to you a very warm welcome. 

Your visit here today is a visible demonstration of one of the core principles within our Alliance, that of close political consultations among Allies on issues of common concern. It is also a sign of the importance that President Obama and you and the administration attach to deepening the transatlantic dialogue. 

We highly appreciate your presence, here, today and the openness and transparent approach of the United States of America in seeking the views of its Allies as you are  conducting your own national strategic policy review towards Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

As you know, Afghanistan was a major discussion point by our Foreign Ministers last week when we had the pleasure of welcoming Secretary Clinton in our midst for the first time. 

One major point of agreement from that meeting was that our collective engagement in Afghanistan through ISAF will require additional efforts from all of us during this crucial year.  Ensuring the success of the elections, enhancing support to the Afghan National Security Forces, applying a regional approach and further implementing our comprehensive approach to maximise both military and civilian efforts are priorities in this regard.    

While we will hear more details from you on these and related issues, I am confident that the United States review will complement the main principles of our Afghanistan strategy as agreed by ISAF Heads of State and Government at the Bucharest Summit last year. 

Mr. Vice President, again, you are very welcome, to speak and as I know also to listen, and the floor is yours for some introductory remarks.