Ministerial Communiqué Paris 31st May - 1st Jun 1965

Final Communiqué Chairman: Mr. M. Brosio. Synopsis Defence Ministers examine studies on strategy, force requirements and resources - Greek and Turkish defence problems - Ways to improve consultation on defence.

The Ministers of Defence of the NATO member countries met in Paris on 31st May and 1st June, 1965 for an exchange of views upon the defence problems of the Alliance. The Ministers took note of the progress, since their last meeting in December 1964, of the studies of the important and inter-related questions of strategy, force requirements, and resources which are being conducted by the Council in Permanent Session. They directed the Council in Permanent Session, with the assistance of the NATO Military Authorities, to continue its studies as a valuable part of the process of planning which will ensure the most rational and economic use of available resources and will provide forces designed to deter any aggression and, should deterrence fail, able to react swiftly and effectively to it. Special attention was paid to the defence problems of Greece and of Turkey, in the light of their economic situation. At the conclusion of an extensive and fruitful discussion the Ministers reaffirmed their determination to maintain the defensive capability of the Alliance and renewed their endorsement of the strategic concept of a forward defence posture. In this connection, they also agreed that further consideration should be given to a proposal for ways in which consultation might be improved and participation by interested allied countries extended in the planning of nuclear forces, including strategic forces.