NATO Secretary General outlines 2009 highlights
At the annual press reception on the occasion of the New Year, held at NATO Headquarters, NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, outlined the priorities of the Alliance for 2009.
He talked about the upcoming meetings of Defence Ministers in Krakow in February, of Foreign Affairs Ministers in Brussels in March, and about the Summit in Strasbourg – Kehl in April.
In this context, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer mentioned the Declaration on Alliance Security to be adopted by Heads of State and Government at the Summit, and expressed his hope it would pave the way for the new Strategic Concept, “to reaffirm NATO enduring purpose, and set the direction for NATO’s new missions and tasks.”
The Summit will be an opportunity to celebrate the 60th anniversary of NATO, to look back at the Alliance’s history and achievements, and it might also be the moment to welcome “France’s move to take its full place in NATO, in particular the military structure”, said the Secretary General.
NATO's operations will continue to be a priority, in particular in Afghanistan, and Mr. De Hoop Scheffer emphasized the need for all Allies “to step up, with more forces, but also with more civilian aid”. “It is fair, and I think politically healthy, if we have a fair balance of burdens in this mission between the Allies”, he added.