45th Munich Security Conference
On 6-7 February, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer participated in the Munich Security Conference, which brings together leading international figures to discuss security issues every year at this time. The Secretary General delivered a speech focusing on Russia, transatlantic burden sharing, and the future of NATO.
The Secretary General held bilateral meetings with Vice President Joe Biden, as well as with Richard Holbrooke (President Obama's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan), where the future of the Afghan mission was the main topic of discussion. He had a long meeting with Afghan President Karzai, where they agreed on the need to reduce civilian casualties and to step up efforts in improving governance and better coordinating development assistance, as part of the shared effort to tackle the extremism and terrorism in the country.
The Secretary General also met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ivanov, where they discussed -- but did not agree on -- the Russia unilateral recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Mr. Ivanov noted Russia's willingness to cooperate with NATO on security in Afghanistan, and they discussed the way forward in the measured re-engagement between Russia and NATO.