Declaration

The Defence Ministers and Representatives of the Alliance met in Bergen, Norway on 25th and 26th September 1996 for informal discussions. They discussed the situation in the former Yugoslavia; the external adaptation of the Alliance, including enlargement and the enhancement of the Partnership for Peace; and the continuing internal adaptation of the Alliance. No decisions were sought at this informal meeting, but the discussions demonstrated the common approach of the Allies to these and other important questions.

The Ministers will subsequently meet with Russian Defence Minister Igor Rodionov with whom they will discuss NATO-Russian relations, including PfP as well as the Alliance's collaboration with Russia in Operation JOINT ENDEAVOUR.

The Ministers expressed their appreciation to their Norwegian colleague, Jörgen Kosmo, for hosting the meetings.