NATO Summit gets underway
Allied leaders of 28 nations have arrived at the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden. They were welcomed by the Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the Chancellor of Germany, Mrs. Angela Merkel and the President of France, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy and their spouses.
The two-day event began with the working dinner of the Heads of State and Government (HOSG) in the famous premises of the Baden-Baden Kurhaus. Following an official welcome by the leaders of the host nations and the Secretary General of NATO, the participants had an exchange of views on NATO’s future roles and missions. During the evening session, Allies are also expected to discuss long-term relations with Russia.
The second day of the Summit, on the morning of 4th April, will begin with a solemn ceremony at the Rhine River, honouring the men and women in uniform who have, and continue to, put their lives at risk in NATO-led missions and operations for the security of the Euro-Atlantic community.
Following this event, Alliance leaders will convene for a working session of the North Atlantic Council in Strasbourg. It will be devoted primarily to a discussion of the ongoing operational commitments of NATO, in particular its engagement in Afghanistan.
The NATO leaders will adopt a number of key documents, including a final communiqué, a Declaration on Allied Security and a statement on the Alliance’s mission in Afghanistan.
Prior to the start of the Summit itself, the Secretary General will give the keynote speech at a Youth Summit in Strasbourg.