NATO’s new Strategic Concept discussed at Luxembourg seminar
On 16 October, the first of four main seminars that will guide the development of NATO’s new Strategic Concept and work towards defining the Alliance’s fundamental security tasks, was held in Luxembourg.
Hosted by Luxembourg’s Ministries of Defence and of Foreign Affairs, the event brought together members of the Group of Experts on the new Strategic Concept, appointed by the Secretary General, as well as government officials, military representatives and many other opinion leaders.
“The Alliance is not simply a provider of troops or an instrument of last resort, after crisis management has failed,” said Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, in his opening speech.
“NATO has to play an active political role in trying to prevent threats from arising and in shaping the political environment in which we can operate successfully.”
In his welcome remarks, Jean Asselborn, Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, said: “These days, NATO’s principal role – to ensure our security – is valid more than ever.”
“Today we face challenges of a new kind – failed or failing states, cyber attacks, energy security, piracy – and whose geographic origins are often ‘out of area’,” he added.
The seminar’s participants discussed the changing security environment, NATO’s core tasks, the Alliance’s political role and its strategy in the 21st century.
The closing remarks were delivered by the Minister of Defence of Luxembourg, Jean-Marie Halsdorf.
Dr Madeleine Albright, who chairs the experts group, presided over the meeting.