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- We attach great importance to the Alliance's relations
with Ukraine. We are convinced that an independent, democratic
and stable Ukraine has an important part to play in reinforcing
European stability. We noted with great satisfaction that all
nuclear weapons have now been transferred from the territory of
Ukraine for dismantlement. The development of the enhanced
relationship agreed last year is under way. We are pleased with
Ukraines active participation in the Partnership for Peace, and
Ukraine is making a valuable contribution to Operation JOINT
ENDEAVOUR. We would welcome still closer co-operation. We
welcome Ukraines engagement in bilateral and regional
co-operation efforts such as the Polish-Ukrainian peacekeeping
battalion and the recent Peace Shield exercise.
- We welcome the progress achieved in the political
dialogue with a number of Mediterranean countries as well as the
programme of activities undertaken within its framework. We are
convinced that this Mediterranean dialogue, which today is under
way with Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia,
contributes to a better mutual understanding with a view to
providing stability in the region. We will endeavour for our
part to provide our support to the further development of this
dialogue.
- We welcomed the successful outcome of the recent CFE
Review Conference in Vienna at which all 30 CFE states reaffirmed
their commitment to preserve the integrity of the Treaty as the
basis for stability and security in Europe and to its full
implementation. We note with satisfaction that a solution was
found to the flank issue in a co-operative manner, also
reaffirming the continued relevance of the basic structures of
the Treaty including the principle of zonal limitations. We now
look forward to its full and timely implementation while
underscoring the importance of full respect for the sovereignty
of the States Parties involved. We welcomed the agreement by the
States Parties to the Treaty to begin discussions aimed at
defining the scope and parameters of a process aimed at improving
the operation of the Treaty in a changing environment. We
encouraged all participants to work co-operatively to this end,
while also emphasising the importance of full compliance with all
obligations under the Treaty and related documents as a
contribution to continued good relations among all States
Parties.
- The Alliances activities must be supported by adequate
resources. The process of fundamental change in the Alliance,
embracing both new initiatives as well as the traditional task
of common defence, has created new requirements, as has the need
to provide resources for the NATO common-funded share of
Operation JOINT ENDEAVOUR. It is our firm intention to ensure
the availability of appropriate human and financial resources for
these important programmes, in order to sustain in the future the
necessary flexibility and effectiveness of the Alliance and
co-operation with our Partners. The achievement of this goal
will be facilitated through the development of updated,
appropriate and cost-effective structures and the rigorous
application of priorities.
- NATO armaments co-operation continues to play an
important role in national efforts to meet the evolving military
needs of the Alliance. In particular, during the past year, the
Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) has contributed
to the preparation of Alliance forces to undertake an expanded
range of missions by addressing the equipment implications of
peacekeeping operations and NATOs defence efforts against
proliferation. CNAD activities have also made an important
contribution to PfP. This meeting of the Council noted the
annual report of the CNAD, and we intend in the future to provide
collective guidance on the direction of NATO armaments
co-operation. We continue to support efforts to develop and
procure an Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) capability, namely
a minimum essential NATO owned and operated core capability
supplemented by interoperable national assets, taking account,
for example, of the need for affordability and cost-effectiveness
and national planning and budgetary processes. We note that the
NATO Military Authorities are examining the relative priority,
timing and attendant rationale for this AGS capability.
- The Alliance has begun a new phase in its history.
With the far-reaching changes that have been put in train, a new
NATO is emerging with renewed forces, structures and procedures.
Based as before on a firm transatlantic partnership, it will also
support the development, with the participation of all the
European Allies, of a European Security and Defence Identity
within the Alliance. But its fundamental purpose will remain
unchanged: to ensure the security of its members and to make an
invaluable contribution to international peace, security and
stability.
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