Meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Council Madrid, July 8, 1997

Welcoming address by the President of the Government of Spain (22Kb) We have called to this meeting in Madrid, as to all previous meetings, by the passion for freedom. We are all legitimately proud that the values, which sustain our alliance, have spread to almost the entire civilised world. That has to a large extent been possible thanks to the existence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Allow me to take the floor for a few moments in order, on behalf of His Majesty the King and the Government that I head, to welcome you most cordially to the capital of Spain. Spain is honoured to belong to the Atlantic Alliance, and offers its warmest hospitality to all the participants in the Summit. Whenever friends nd allies get together, great opportunities arise. Those afforded us by this Summit are especially propitious, and we must not fail to take advantage of them. We have an exceptional opportunity to consolidate our security on new and lasting foundations. I am sure that we shall rise to the occasion, that we shall be able to understand the work in which we live, and that we shall have the necessary foresight and determination to envisage the future. We want peace, and it is expected of us that we guarantee it. We must provide a response to the security problems that affect our fellow citizens in the current international context. Therefore it is essential to adapt the military instruments to allow for more rapid and effective common action, in crisis and conflicts that provoke humanitarian disasters or threaten international stability. Assuring peace also requires us to advance towards a more united, prosperous and safe Europe - a Europe from which both the dividing lines and the old national antagonisms that have so often destroyed peace on the continent will finally disappear. And, finally, peace requires the consolidation of the young democracies of Central and Eastern Europe, by means of true cooperation and the progressive integration of these countries into the Euro-Atlantic institutions.

(23Kb) A little more than six months ago we decided to convene the Madrid Summit, with a goal as ambitious as it is unavoidable. This consists of giving shape to the new NATO which is emerging as a result of the intense process of adaptation started at the 1990 London Summit, and of marking our future course of the Alliance, so that it will continue to be a factor for stability and freedom in Europe. All that will only be possible if we preserve our cohesion and value and enhance the essential Trans-Atlantic ties. The renewed Alliance must continue to assure the defence of all members; it will undertake the new missions necessary for consolidating Euro-Atlantic security I a changing international context; it will serve as a basis for the development of truly cooperative security structures in Europe, it will promote our relations with the Mediterranean and will open its doors to new members. The start of the Summit is a good moment to look back on the path that we have trodden and to better define the task that still lies ahead. As opposed to what some people say, over the past few months we have made good progress in renewing the Alliance. The enlargement, the European security and defence identity, global relations with our partners and the specific relations with Russia and Ukraine are tangible facts which prove that we have not lost time. As for the reform of the command structure, substantial steps have been taken that will be a successful conclusion to this basic issue during the course of the coming months. But there is still much to do. The adaptation of the Alliance is a global process, and we must not neglect, nor delay, any of its facets if we want the new NATO to be in a position to carry our effectively the essential role that it has been called upon to play. Your Excellencies, As you know, Spain decided to take the necessary steps for participating fully in the Alliance's new command structure, in accordance with the decision taken by the Spanish Parliament. We have started to do this, and will continue to do so. We view the progress made with satisfaction, and I trust tat everything will be completed as soon as possible. My country will thus be in position to contribute unreservedly, and on an equal footing, to security and defence within the framework of the Alliance. With this I reiterate the commitment of my nation to defend and promote our common values. Your Excellencies, I started by mentioning the passion for freedom. I now wish to invoke the enthusiasm of the Alliance's founding members, so that the effect of their legacy may be extended to future generations and bear fruit among all peoples. In this spirit I welcome you once again to this Summit, an appropriate place to breathe the air of freedom of the future.