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Statement
by
NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson
on the 50th Anniversary
of Greece and Turkey in NATO
On 18 February 1952, Greece and Turkey formally took their
places as full members of the Atlantic Alliance. Since that
day, they have been staunch Allies, and key contributors to
the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area.
During the Cold War, they bore, along with NATO's other members,
the burden of defending democracy and our common values. NATO's
Southern Flank was an area which posed great risks and challenges,
and both Turkey and Greece played important roles to ensure
its security. For that alone, the contribution of Greece and
Turkey to NATO could already be considered a great success,
and a tribute to both countries.
Since the end of the Cold War, the Atlantic Alliance has faced
new challenges: from the Balkan wars, to building new Partnerships
with former adversaries, to taking on the challenge of terrorism.
NATO has met all of these challenges successfully -- and true
to their traditions as strong and committed Allies, Turkey and
Greece have been key contributors. Indeed, NATO's success over
the past decade has demonstrated conclusively that the bond
between Allies remains as strong as ever, and that NATO remains
an incomparable agent of positive change.
I congratulate Greece and Turkey on the 50th anniversary of
their formal accession to NATO. It has been a half century of
strong solidarity with the entire Atlantic community, and determined
contribution to Euro-Atlantic security. That solidarity, and
that determination, will be key ingredients as we face the security
challenges of the future.
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