Riga Summit Declaration

1. 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.

    

2. 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.

    

3. 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.

    

4. 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.

    

5. 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.

    

6. 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.

    

7. 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.

    

8. 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.

    

9. 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.

    

10. 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.

     

11. 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.

     

12. 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.

       

13. 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.

       

14. 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.

     

15. 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.

     

16. 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.

     

17. 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.

     

18. 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.

     

19. 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.

     

20. 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.

     

21. 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.

     

22. 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.

     

23. 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.

     

24. 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.

   

25. 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.

     

26. 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.

     

27. We endorse the drive for greater efficiency and effectiveness in NATO Headquarters and its funding practices.

     

28. 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.

     

29. 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.

     

30. 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.

     

31. 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.

     

32. 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.

     

33. We welcome the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ¹’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.

     

34. 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.

     

35. 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.

     

36. 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.

     

37. 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.

     

38. 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.

     

39. 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.

     

40. 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.

     

41. 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.

     

42. 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.

     

43. 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.

     

44. 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.

     

45. 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.

     

46. 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.

1. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.