Press
Release
NAC-S(99)64
24 Apr. 1999
|
Washington Summit Communiqu
Issued by the Heads of State and Government
participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council
in Washington, D.C. on 24th April 1999
An Alliance for the 21st Century
- We, the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the
North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in Washington to celebrate the
50th anniversary of NATO and to set forth our vision of the Alliance
of the 21st century. The North Atlantic Alliance, founded on the principles
of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law, remains the basis
of our collective defence; it embodies the transatlantic link that binds
North America and Europe in a unique defence and security partnership.
- Fifty years ago, the North Atlantic Alliance was founded in troubled
and uncertain times. It has withstood the test of five decades and allowed
the citizens of Allied countries to enjoy an unprecedented period of
peace, freedom and prosperity. Here in Washington, we have paid tribute
to the achievements of the past and we have shaped a new Alliance to
meet the challenges of the future. This new Alliance will be larger,
more capable and more flexible, committed to collective defence and
able to undertake new missions including contributing to effective conflict
prevention and engaging actively in crisis management, including crisis
response operations. The Alliance will work with other nations and organisations
to advance security, prosperity and democracy throughout the Euro-Atlantic
region. The presence today of three new Allies - the Czech Republic,
Hungary and Poland - demonstrates that we have overcome the division
of Europe.
- The Alliance takes the opportunity of this 50th anniversary to recognise
and express its heartfelt appreciation for the commitment, sacrifice,
resolve and loyalty of the servicemen and women of all Allies to the
cause of freedom. The Alliance salutes these active and reserve forces'
essential contributions, which for 50 years have guaranteed freedom
and safeguarded trans-Atlantic security. Our nations and our Alliance
are in their debt and offer them profound thanks.
- The NATO of the 21st century starts today - a NATO which retains the
strengths of the past and has new missions, new members and new partnerships.
To this end, we have:
- approved an updated Strategic Concept;
- reaffirmed our commitment to the enlargement process of the Alliance
and approved a Membership Action Plan for countries wishing to join;
- completed the work on key elements of the Berlin Decisions on
building the European Security and Defence Identity within the Alliance
and decided to further enhance its effectiveness;
- launched the Defence Capabilities Initiative;
- intensified our relations with Partners through an enhanced and
more operational Partnership for Peace and strengthened our consultations
and co-operation within the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council;
- enhanced the Mediterranean Dialogue; and
- decided to increase Alliance efforts against weapons of mass destruction
and their means of delivery.
- As part of the Alliance's adaptation to the new security challenges,
we have updated our Strategic Concept to make it fully consistent with
the Alliance's new security environment. The updated Concept reaffirms
our commitment to collective defence and the transatlantic link; takes
account of the challenges the Alliance now faces; presents an Alliance
ready and with a full range of capabilities to enhance the security
and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area; reaffirms our commitment to
building the ESDI within the Alliance; highlights the enhanced role
of partnership and dialogue; underlines the need to develop defence
capabilities to their full potential to meet the spectrum of Alliance
missions, including forces which are more deployable, sustainable, survivable
and able to engage effectively; and provides guidance to the NATO Military
Authorities to this end.
- To achieve its essential purpose, as an Alliance of nations committed
to the Washington Treaty and the United Nations Charter, the Alliance
performs the following fundamental security tasks:
Security: To provide one of the indispensable foundations for a
stable Euro-Atlantic security environment, based on the growth of
democratic institutions and commitment to the peaceful resolution
of disputes, in which no country would be able to intimidate or coerce
any other through the threat or use of force.
Consultation: To serve, as provided for in Article 4 of the North
Atlantic Treaty, as an essential transatlantic forum for Allied consultations
on any issues that affect their vital interests, including possible
developments posing risks for members' security, and for appropriate
co-ordination of their efforts in fields of common concern.
Deterrence and Defence: To deter and defend against any threat of
aggression against any NATO member state as provided for in Articles
5 and 6 of the Washington Treaty.
And in order to enhance the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic
area:
- Crisis Management: To stand ready, case-by-case and by consensus,
in conformity with Article 7 of the Washington Treaty, to contribute
to effective conflict prevention and to engage actively in crisis
management, including crisis response operations.
- Partnership: To promote wide-ranging partnership, cooperation,
and dialogue with other countries in the Euro-Atlantic area, with
the aim of increasing transparency, mutual confidence and the capacity
for joint action with the Alliance.
- We warmly welcome the participation of the three new
Allies - the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland - in their first Alliance
Summit meeting. Their accession to the North Atlantic Treaty opens a
new chapter in the history of the Atlantic Alliance.
We reaffirm today our commitment to the openness of the Alliance
under Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty and in accordance with
Paragraph 8 of the Madrid Summit Declaration. We pledge that NATO
will continue to welcome new members in a position to further the
principles of the Treaty and contribute to peace and security in the
Euro-Atlantic area. This is part of an evolutionary process that takes
into account political and security developments in the whole of Europe.
Our commitment to enlargement is part of a broader strategy of projecting
stability and working together with our Partners to build a Europe
whole and free. The ongoing enlargement process strengthens the Alliance
and enhances the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic region.
The three new members will not be the last.
At the Summit in Madrid we recognised the progress made by a number
of countries aspiring to join the Alliance in meeting the responsibilities
and obligations for possible membership.
Today we recognise and welcome the continuing efforts and progress
in both Romania and Slovenia. We also recognise and welcome continuing
efforts and progress in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Since the Madrid
Summit, we note and welcome positive developments in Bulgaria. We
also note and welcome recent positive developments in Slovakia. We
are grateful for the co-operation of the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia (1) with NATO in the present
crisis and welcome its progress on reforms. We welcome Albania's co-operation
with the Alliance in the present crisis and encourage its reform efforts.
We welcome the efforts and progress aspiring members have made,
since we last met, to advance political, military and economic reforms.
We appreciate the results achieved, and look forward to further progress
by these countries in strengthening their democratic institutions
and in restructuring their economies and militaries. We take account
of the efforts of these aspiring members, together with a number of
other Partner countries, to improve relations with neighbours and
contribute to security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic region.
We look forward to further deepening our co-operation with aspiring
countries and to increasing their political and military involvement
in the work of the Alliance.
The Alliance expects to extend further invitations in coming years
to nations willing and able to assume the responsibilities and obligations
of membership, and as NATO determines that the inclusion of these
nations would serve the overall political and strategic interests
of the Alliance and that the inclusion would enhance overall European
security and stability. To give substance to this commitment, NATO
will maintain an active relationship with those nations that have
expressed an interest in NATO membership as well as those who may
wish to seek membership in the future. Those nations that have expressed
an interest in becoming NATO members will remain under active consideration
for future membership. No European democratic country whose admission
would fulfil the objectives of the Treaty will be excluded from consideration,
regardless of its geographic location, each being considered on its
own merits. All states have the inherent right to choose the means
to ensure their own security. Furthermore, in order to enhance overall
security and stability in Europe, further steps in the ongoing enlargement
process of the Alliance should balance the security concerns of all
Allies.
We welcome the aspirations of the nine countries currently interested
in joining the Alliance. Accordingly, we are ready to provide advice,
assistance and practical support. To this end, we approve today a
Membership Action Plan which includes the following elements:
- the submission by aspiring members of individual annual national
programmes on their preparations for possible future membership,
covering political, economic, defence, resource, security and legal
aspects;
- a focused and candid feedback mechanism on aspirant countries'
progress on their programmes that includes both political and technical
advice, as well as annual 19+1 meetings at Council level to assess
progress;
- a clearinghouse to help co-ordinate assistance by NATO and by
member states to aspirant countries in the defence/military field;
- a defence planning approach for aspirants which includes elaboration
and review of agreed planning targets.
We direct that NATO Foreign Ministers keep the enlargement process,
including the implementation of the Membership Action Plan, under
continual review and report to us. We will review the process at our
next Summit meeting which will be held no later than 2002.
- We reaffirm our commitment to preserve the transatlantic link, including
our readiness to pursue common security objectives through the Alliance
wherever possible. We are pleased with the progress achieved in implementing
the Berlin decisions and reaffirm our strong commitment to pursue the
process of reinforcing the European pillar of the Alliance on the basis
of our Brussels Declaration of 1994 and of the principles agreed at
Berlin in 1996. We note with satisfaction that the key elements of the
Berlin decisions are being put in place. These include flexible options
for the selection of a European NATO Commander and NATO Headquarters
for WEU-led operations, as well as specific terms of reference for DSACEUR
and an adapted CJTF concept. Close linkages between the two organisations
have been established, including planning, exercises (in particular
a joint crisis management exercise in 2000) and consultation, as well
as a framework for the release and return of Alliance assets and capabilities.
- We welcome the new impetus given to the strengthening of a common
European policy in security and defence by the Amsterdam Treaty and
the reflections launched since then in the WEU and - following the St.
Malo Declaration - in the EU, including the Vienna European Council
Conclusions. This is a process which has implications for all Allies.
We confirm that a stronger European role will help contribute to the
vitality of our Alliance for the 21st century, which is the foundation
of the collective defence of its members. In this regard:
- We acknowledge the resolve of the European Union to have the capacity
for autonomous action so that it can take decisions and approve
military action where the Alliance as a whole is not engaged;
- As this process goes forward, NATO and the EU should ensure the
development of effective mutual consultation, co-operation and transparency,
building on the mechanisms existing between NATO and the WEU;
- We applaud the determination of both EU members and other European
Allies to take the necessary steps to strengthen their defence capabilities,
especially for new missions, avoiding unnecessary duplication;
- We attach the utmost importance to ensuring the fullest possible
involvement of non-EU European Allies in EU-led crisis response
operations, building on existing consultation arrangements within
the WEU. We also note Canada's interest in participating in such
operations under appropriate modalities.
- We are determined that the decisions taken in Berlin in 1996,
including the concept of using separable but not separate NATO assets
and capabilities for WEU-led operations, should be further developed.
- On the basis of the above principles and building on the Berlin decisions,
we therefore stand ready to define and adopt the necessary arrangements
for ready access by the European Union to the collective assets and
capabilities of the Alliance, for operations in which the Alliance as
a whole is not engaged militarily as an Alliance. The Council in Permanent
Session will approve these arrangements, which will respect the requirements
of NATO operations and the coherence of its command structure, and should
address:
- Assured EU access to NATO planning capabilities able to contribute
to military planning for EU-led operations;
- The presumption of availability to the EU of pre-identified NATO
capabilities and common assets for use in EU-led operations;
- Identification of a range of European command options for EU-led
operations, further developing the role of DSACEUR in order for
him to assume fully and effectively his European responsibilities;
- The further adaptation of NATO's defence planning system to incorporate
more comprehensively the availability of forces for EU-led operations.
We task the Council in Permanent Session to address these measures
on an ongoing basis, taking into account the evolution of relevant
arrangements in the EU. The Council will make recommendations to the
next Ministerial meeting for its consideration.
- We have launched a Defence Capabilities Initiative to improve the
defence capabilities of the Alliance to ensure the effectiveness of
future multinational operations across the full spectrum of Alliance
missions in the present and foreseeable security environment with a
special focus on improving interoperability among Alliance forces (and
where applicable also between Alliance and Partner forces). Defence
capabilities will be increased through improvements in the deployability
and mobility of Alliance forces, their sustainability and logistics,
their survivability and effective engagement capability, and command
and control and information systems. In this connection, we endorse
the Council decision to begin implementing the Multinational Joint Logistics
Centre concept by the end of 1999, and to develop the C3 system architecture
by 2002 to form a basis for an integrated Alliance core capability allowing
interoperability with national systems. We have established a temporary
High-Level Steering Group to oversee the implementation of the Defence
Capabilities Initiative and to meet the requirement of co-ordination
and harmonisation among relevant planning disciplines, including for
Allies concerned force planning, with the aim of achieving lasting effects
on improvements in capabilities and interoperability. Improvements in
interoperability and critical capabilities should also strengthen the
European pillar in NATO.
- We reaffirm our commitment to the 1995 Peace Agreement, negotiated
in Dayton and signed in Paris, which established Bosnia and Herzegovina
as a single, democratic and multi-ethnic state, and to the full implementation
of the Peace Agreement. We reiterate our readiness to work constructively
with all Parties that support the Peace Agreement and seek to implement
it.
- The Madrid Peace Implementation Council meeting in December 1998 confirmed
that the next two years would be vital in strengthening the peace process
in Bosnia and Herzegovina and recognised that SFOR's presence remains
essential, both to keep the peace and to provide the secure environment
and support for civilian implementation. Return of refugees to areas
in which they are a minority will remain vital for political stability
and reconciliation. We will support efforts to take this process forward.
- SFOR will continue to work closely and effectively with the High Representative,
whose role we support, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Yugoslavia, the OSCE and other major international organisations, the
UN International Police Task Force and other agencies implementing the
civilian aspects of the Peace Agreement. We commend the crucial contribution
of men and women of both NATO and Partner countries serving in SFOR,
who are helping to bring peace to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- SFOR's presence cannot, however, be maintained indefinitely. SFOR
is being streamlined through efficiency measures. We note that the Council
in Permanent Session is examining options on the future size and structure
of SFOR.
- The continuing crisis in and around Kosovo threatens to further destabilise
areas beyond the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). The potential
for wider instability underscores the need for a comprehensive approach
to the stabilisation of the crisis region in South-Eastern Europe. We
recognise and endorse the crucial importance of making South-Eastern
Europe a region free from violence and instability. A new level of international
engagement is thus needed to build security, prosperity and democratic
civil society, leading in time to full integration into the wider European
family.
- NATO is determined to play its full part in this process by contributing
to the building of a more secure and co-operative relationship with
and between the countries of the region. Given the differences in economic
development and the diversity and complexity of the problems of each
country in the region, international efforts to develop and stabilise
the region must be comprehensive, coherent and well co-ordinated. To
achieve these ends, NATO, the WEU, the EU, the OSCE and the UN must
work closely together. The international financial institutions also
have a crucial role to play. The Alliance's efforts to enhance regional
security and stability in South-Eastern Europe and to help resolve humanitarian
problems, and the efforts by other international organisations, as well
as those by the countries of the region, should be mutually reinforcing.
- We will be meeting with colleagues from the countries of South-Eastern
Europe tomorrow. We intend to build on that meeting by maintaining NATO's
consultations with the countries of the region. Accordingly, we will
propose to them a consultative forum on security matters which brings
together all NATO members and countries of the region at an appropriate
level.
- We direct the Council in Permanent Session, building on, as appropriate,
the existing EAPC and PfP framework, to give substance to this proposal,
inter alia, in the following areas:
- 19+1 consultations where appropriate;
- the promotion of regional co-operation in the framework of an
EAPC co-operative mechanism, taking into account other regional
initiatives;
- targeted NATO security co-operation programmes for the countries
in the region, as appropriate;
- regionally focused PfP activities and exercises;
- better targeting and co-ordination of Allies' and Partners' bilateral
assistance to the region.
- The Alliance's efforts to enhance regional security in South-Eastern
Europe complement those by other international organisations, as well
as those by the countries of the region. We welcome the forthcoming
European Union conference on a Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe
on 27th May 1999, and the South-Eastern Europe Co-operation process,
as well as other regional efforts. Coherence and co-ordination between
the various initiatives will be of great importance.
- The security of the Balkan region is essential to achieving lasting
stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. Our goal is to see the
integration of the countries of the region into the Euro-Atlantic community.
We want all the countries and peoples of South-Eastern Europe to enjoy
peace and security and establish normal relations with one another,
based on respect of human rights, democracy, individual liberty and
the rule of law.
- We reaffirm our commitment to consultation, partnership and practical
co-operation through the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Partnership
for Peace. We commit ourselves today to build an enhanced and more operational
relationship with Partners for the 21st century that strengthens stability,
mutual confidence, and security throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. The
EAPC and the PfP have transformed political-military relations across
the continent and have become the instruments of choice when the Alliance
and its Partners consult and act together in the pursuit of peace and
security. We look forward to consulting with our Partners at tomorrow's
EAPC Summit meeting.
- The EAPC, founded in 1997, contributes substantially to stronger political
consultation and practical co-operation between the Alliance and its
Partners, for solutions to security issues. We applaud this expanded
dimension of political consultations, which has enhanced transparency
and confidence among all EAPC members. The Alliance and its Partners
have consulted regularly on regional security issues, such as on Bosnia
and Herzegovina and on Kosovo. We have also developed new areas of co-operation
such as peacekeeping, humanitarian de-mining, control over transfer
of small arms, and the co-ordination of disaster relief and humanitarian
assistance.
- We welcome the successful fulfilment by the Alliance and its Partners
of five years of Partnership for Peace and the full implementation of
PfP enhancements launched in 1997. Enhanced PfP has ensured that NATO-Partner
co-operation contributes concretely to Euro-Atlantic stability and security.
The participation of 15 PfP Partners in IFOR/SFOR demonstrates the real-life
benefits of PfP's focus on interoperability and provides valuable lessons
for future Alliance-Partner co-operation. The presence of Partner officers
in an international capacity in NATO military headquarters enables Partners
to participate in planning for NATO-PfP exercises and NATO-led PfP operations.
Enhanced PfP has also permitted NATO to take action to assist Albania
and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with their unique security
concerns.
- We welcome and take special note of the initiatives designed to make
the Partnership more operational and ensure greater Partner involvement
in appropriate decision-making and planning, as we had envisioned in
our Madrid Declaration. These steps will ensure that the Partnership
will be better able to address its objectives, and will provide a solid
foundation for its continuing evolution as the core of a co-operative
security network between NATO and its Partners for the 21st century.
To further this goal, we have today approved the following comprehensive
package. We have:
- approved a Political-Military Framework for NATO-led PfP operations,
which will enhance Partners' roles in political guidance and oversight,
planning, and command arrangements for such operations;
- endorsed the expanded and adapted Planning and Review Process,
which will further enhance interoperability of Partner forces declared
available for PfP activities, and will allow for more focused and
increased Partner contributions of valuable forces and capabilities
for future NATO-led PfP operations;
- endorsed the outline Operational Capabilities Concept for NATO-led
PfP operations, which will provide for deeper military co-operation
between the Alliance and Partners with the goal of improving the
ability of Partner forces and capabilities to operate with the Alliance
in NATO-led PfP operations and directed the Council in Permanent
Session to pursue its further development;
- endorsed the outline programme on enhancing PfP training and education
to optimise and harmonise NATO and national PfP activities in order
to meet the current and future demands of an enhanced and more operational
PfP. The outline programme includes the role of three new PfP tools
- a PfP Consortium of Defence Academies and Security Studies Institutes,
a PfP Exercise Simulation Network and PfP Training Centres. We directed
the Council in Permanent Session to develop a PfP Training and Education
Enhancement Programme.
- We remain firmly committed to our partnership with Russia under the
NATO-Russia Founding Act. NATO and Russia have a common objective in
strengthening security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. Throughout
the Kosovo crisis, NATO and Russia have shared the common goals of the
international community: to halt the violence, to avert a humanitarian
catastrophe, and to create the conditions for a political solution.
These goals remain valid. Consultation and dialogue are even more important
in times of crisis. NATO and its member countries are determined to
build on the areas of common ground with Russia concerning the international
response to the crisis in Kosovo and remain ready to resume consultations
and co-operation in the framework of the Founding Act.
- Close relations between NATO and Russia are of great importance to
stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. Since the conclusion
of the Founding Act in May 1997, considerable and encouraging progress
has been made in intensifying consultation and co-operation with Russia.
The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council has developed into an important
venue to consult, to promote transparency and confidence-building, and
to foster co-operation. Russia's participation in the implementation
of the peace agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina was a significant
step towards a new co-operative relationship. We have developed an extensive
dialogue on such matters as disarmament and arms control, including
the adaptation of the CFE Treaty; peacekeeping and nuclear weapons issues.
Strategy, defence policy and doctrines, budgets and infrastructure development
programmes, and non-proliferation, are further examples of this increasing
co-operation.
- We attach great importance to a strong, enduring and distinctive partnership
between NATO and Ukraine. Ukraine has an important role to play in enhancing
security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and in particular in
Central and Eastern Europe. We are pleased with the progress reached
since the signing of the NATO-Ukraine Charter in Madrid, and will continue
to strengthen our distinctive partnership. We continue to support Ukrainian
sovereignty and independence, territorial integrity, democratic development,
economic prosperity and Ukraine's status as a non-nuclear weapons state
as key factors of stability and security in Europe. We encourage Ukraine
to carry forward its democratic and economic transformation, including
its defence reform, and reaffirm NATO's support for Ukraine's efforts
to this end. We applaud the progress made in the Joint Working Group
on Defence Reform. We welcome the establishment of a NATO Liaison Office
in Kyiv to further enhance Ukraine's role as a distinctive Partner.
We also look forward to today's inaugural Summit meeting of the NATO-Ukraine
Commission.
- The Mediterranean Dialogue is an integral part of the Alliance's co-operative
approach to security since security in the whole of Europe is closely
linked to security and stability in the Mediterranean. We are pleased
with the development of our Mediterranean Dialogue. The Dialogue is
progressive in nature and we welcome the progress towards developing
broader and deeper co-operation and dialogue with the countries in the
Mediterranean region. We endorse the enhancements to the political and
practical co-operation of the Mediterranean Dialogue agreed by the Council
in Permanent Session and direct it to pursue their early implementation.
We encourage Allied nations and Mediterranean Dialogue countries to
organise events such as the Rome Conference in 1997 and the Valencia
Conference in 1999 as positive steps to strengthen mutual regional understanding.
We look forward to further opportunities to strengthen co-operation
in areas where NATO can add value, particularly in the military field,
and where Dialogue countries have expressed interest. The Dialogue and
other international efforts, including the EU Barcelona process, are
complementary and mutually reinforcing and thus contribute to transparency
and building confidence in the region.
- The proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) weapons
and their means of delivery can pose a direct military threat to Allies'
populations, territory, and forces and therefore continues to be a matter
of serious concern for the Alliance. The principal non-proliferation
goal of the Alliance and its members is to prevent proliferation from
occurring, or, should it occur, to reverse it through diplomatic means.
We reiterate our full support for the international non-proliferation
regimes and their strengthening. We recognise progress made in this
regard. In order to respond to the risks to Alliance security posed
by the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery
means, we have launched an Initiative that builds upon work since the
Brussels Summit to improve overall Alliance political and military efforts
in this area.
- The WMD Initiative will: ensure a more vigorous, structured debate
at NATO leading to strengthened common understanding among Allies on
WMD issues and how to respond to them; improve the quality and quantity
of intelligence and information-sharing among Allies on proliferation
issues; support the development of a public information strategy by
Allies to increase awareness of proliferation issues and Allies' efforts
to support non-proliferation efforts; enhance existing Allied programmes
which increase military readiness to operate in a WMD environment and
to counter WMD threats; strengthen the process of information exchange
about Allies' national programmes of bilateral WMD destruction and assistance;
enhance the possibilities for Allies to assist one another in the protection
of their civil populations against WMD risks; and create a WMD Centre
within the International Staff at NATO to support these efforts. The
WMD initiative will integrate political and military aspects of Alliance
work in responding to proliferation.
- Arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation will continue to play
a major role in the achievement of the Alliance's security objectives.
NATO has a long-standing commitment in this area. Allied forces, both
conventional and nuclear, have been significantly reduced since the
end of the Cold War as part of the changed security environment. All
Allies are States Parties to the central treaties related to disarmament
and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and the Chemical
Weapons Convention, and are committed to the full implementation of
these treaties. NATO is a defensive Alliance seeking to enhance security
and stability at the minimum level of forces consistent with the requirements
for the full range of Alliance missions. As part of its broad approach
to security, NATO actively supports arms control and disarmament, both
conventional and nuclear, and pursues its approach against the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means. In the light
of overall strategic developments and the reduced salience of nuclear
weapons, the Alliance will consider options for confidence and security
building measures, verification, non-proliferation and arms control
and disarmament. The Council in Permanent Session will propose a process
to Ministers in December for considering such options. The responsible
NATO bodies would accomplish this. We support deepening consultations
with Russia in these and other areas in the Permanent Joint Council
as well as with Ukraine in the NATO-Ukraine Commission and with other
Partners in the EAPC.
- The CFE Treaty is a cornerstone of European security. We reaffirm
our commitment to the successful adaptation of the Treaty reflecting
the new security environment and paving the way to greater conventional
security and stability in Europe. In the course of the negotiations
so far, Members of the Alliance have already declared their intention
to undertake reductions in their equipment entitlements or holdings,
and we strongly encourage others to follow suit with similar substantial
reductions. In this context, we are pleased that agreement has been
reached by CFE States Parties in Vienna in March 1999 on the key outstanding
issues, permitting drafting work to proceed without delay. Allies will
do their utmost to complete an adapted Treaty for signature by the time
of the OSCE Istanbul Summit in November 1999. Until the adaptation process
is completed, the continued full implementation of the existing Treaty
and its associated documents will remain crucial.
- We call on Russia to ratify the START II Treaty without delay. This
would pave the way for considerable reductions of nuclear arsenals and
would allow negotiations on a START III Treaty aiming at further far-reaching
reductions. We remain committed to an early entry into force of the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and call upon all countries to accede
to and implement the Treaty in due course. We support the early commencement
of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty.
- We are determined to achieve progress on a legally binding protocol
including effective verification measures to enhance compliance and
promote transparency that strengthens the implementation of the Biological
and Toxin Weapons Convention. We re-emphasise the importance of universal
adherence to, and effective implementation of, the Chemical Weapons
Convention. We support de-mining efforts in Bosnia, the development
of practical initiatives under the auspices of the EAPC, and - for signatories
- activities to meet obligations under the Ottawa Convention.
- We call on Belarus, Russia and Ukraine to ratify the Open Skies Treaty
without delay.
- We will seek to intensify on a mutually reinforcing basis the Alliance's
contacts and co-operation with other international organisations with
a role to play in consolidating democracy and preserving peace in the
Euro-Atlantic area.
- As stated in the Washington Treaty, we recognise the primary responsibility
of the United Nations Security Council for the maintenance of international
peace and security. The Alliance and the UN have worked together effectively
in implementing the Peace Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We look
forward to developing further contact and exchanges of information with
the United Nations, in the context of co-operation in conflict prevention,
crisis management, crisis response operations, including peacekeeping,
and humanitarian assistance. In the crisis in Kosovo, the Alliance is
using its civil and military capabilities to work with the UNHCR, the
lead agency in the field of refugee relief, and other relevant international
organisations, in providing humanitarian assistance and refugee relief.
The Alliance will consider on a case-by-case basis future co-operation
of this kind.
- Co-operation and co-ordination between the Alliance and the Organisation
for Security and Co-operation in Europe has expanded considerably in
the light of the support we have provided to the OSCE-led Kosovo Verification
Missions. We hope to make use of these important bridges between our
two organisations to work together in conflict prevention, peacekeeping,
crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, in the spirit of
the OSCE's Common Concept for the Development of Co-operation between
Mutually Reinforcing Institutions. We continue to support the efforts
of the OSCE to develop a Document-Charter on European Security, worthy
of adoption at the OSCE Istanbul Summit in November 1999.
- The Alliance and the European Union share common strategic interests.
Our respective efforts in building peace in the former Yugoslavia are
complementary. Both organisations make decisive contributions to peace
and stability on the European continent. Co-operation between the two
organisations on topics of common concern, to be decided on a case-by-case
basis, could be developed when it enhances the effectiveness of action
by NATO and the EU.
- The Alliance, in order to adapt its structures to better prepare it
to meet future challenges, launched a comprehensive programme including
the continuing adaptation of NATO's command structure. Accordingly,
Allies welcome the activation decision of the implementation phase of
the Alliance's new command structure. This will ensure NATO's ability
to carry out the whole range of its missions more effectively and flexibly;
support an enlarged Alliance and our more operational relationship with
Partners; and provide, as part of the development of the ESDI within
NATO, for European command arrangements able to prepare, support, command
and conduct WEU-led operations. After successful trials, we have embarked
on the full implementation of the CJTF concept, giving us an important
new tool for crisis management in the next century. Allies also welcome
the full integration of Spain into NATO's military structure from January
this year, another significant milestone for the Alliance.
- Terrorism constitutes a serious threat to peace, security and stability
that can threaten the territorial integrity of States. We reiterate
our condemnation of terrorism and reaffirm our determination to combat
it in accordance with our international commitments and national legislation.
The terrorist threat against deployed NATO forces and NATO installations
requires the consideration and development of appropriate measures for
their continued protection, taking full account of host nation responsibilities.
- NATO Heads of State and Government believe that a key to the future
success of the North Atlantic Alliance is the efficient production and
availability of advanced weapons and technology in support of security
for all its members. We also believe that viable defence industries
on both sides of the Atlantic are critical to the efficient functioning
of NATO military forces. To that end, we welcome continued transatlantic
defence industrial co-operation to help ensure interoperability, economies
of scale, competition and innovation. We will seek to ensure that NATO's
armament activities meet the Alliance's evolving military needs.
- We welcome the presence in Washington of the President and other representatives
of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NPA). The NPA plays a significant
role in complementing NATO's efforts to project stability throughout
Europe. We therefore attach great importance to enhancing our relations
with the NPA in areas of common concern. We also appreciate the contribution
made by the Atlantic Treaty Association in promoting better understanding
of the Alliance and its objectives among our publics.
- We express our deep appreciation for the gracious hospitality extended
to us by the Government of the United States on the occasion of the
50th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty.
Footnote:
- Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name
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