NATO leaders agree to do more to fight terrorism and ensure fairer burden sharing
NATO leaders wrapped up a meeting at the new NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Thursday (25 May 2017). This meeting was a strong demonstration of transatlantic unity and resolve, with Allies taking important decisions to do more in the fight against terrorism and to ensure fairer burden sharing across NATO.
The Alliance agreed an action plan to do more in the fight against terrorism. “NATO will become a full member of the Global Coalition, in which all 28 Allies already take part,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He noted that this will enable NATO to take part in political deliberations, including on the coordination of training and capacity building.
The Alliance will increase its support to the Coalition, with NATO AWACS surveillance planes helping to improve airspace management. “We also decided to establish a terrorism intelligence cell within our new Intelligence Division. This will improve the sharing of information among Allies, including on the threat of foreign fighters,” said Mr. Stoltenberg.
NATO leaders also agreed to do more to ensure fairer burden sharing across the Alliance. “Today, we decided to develop annual national plans, setting out how Allies intend to meet the defence investment pledge we made together in 2014. The national plans will cover three major areas: cash, capabilities, and contributions,” said the Secretary General.
NATO leaders were joined by Prime Minister Marković of Montenegro. Montenegro will soon become the twenty-ninth member of the NATO Alliance in a clear sign that the door to NATO membership remains open.