NATO and the Republic of Korea sign new partnership programme
NATO and the Republic of Korea signed a new partnership programme on 20 September 2012 that sets the framework for cooperation and political dialogue. Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow and the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Kim Chang-beom signed the first Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme (IPCP) at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
The new partnership programme will promote political dialogue and practical cooperation in a number of joint priority areas, including response to terrorism, multinational peace support operations and Sience for Peace and Security.
The Republic of Korea is already a valuable contributor to the Alliance’s stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan, where it leads a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Parwan province. The Republic of Korea has also made a generous contribution of US$ 50 million to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund.
The signature of the Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme follows seven years of progressive engagement from a dialogue that was initiated in 2005.