Madrid, Spain 3 June 2003

The Future of NATO Remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal at the Meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs The proposed debate on "NATO's Future Role" is very opportune. We see a future for NATO. As a European and Atlantic country, Portugal is committed to the reinforcement of the transatlantic link: We have increased our defence expenditure by 7.1 % in 2002 and it is forecast to grow by 4.0% in 2003, even against severe budgetary constraints; We have been consistent in our political solidarity with our transatlantic allies; that was expressed in a especially visible way in the Azores summit last march; We have been consistent in our practical support to our transatlantic allies, We have agreed to basing and over flight rights; and we were prompt in responding to the requested assistance to the stabilisation of post-conflict Iraq; We see a future for NATO. On the basis of the Prague mandates, NATO is transforming itself, in terms of new capabilities new members and new relationships - and new missions in new areas. However, NATO recently faced one of the most serious crises in its existence. The difficulty was overcome, but I believe there are a few aspects that should constitute food for some thought: First: we need to be able to convey a clearer message to our peoples on NATO's purpose in the XXI century; Second: in a more pro-active alliance, we need more intense political consultations in the NAC. I was recently reminded by the SACEUR, who visited me in Lisbon, that we never tried to articulate a doctrine to underpin NATO's role in the post-bipolar world. We need to present to our publics the reasons why we believe NATO remains the main pillar of security, stability and defence in the Euro-Atlantic area. Nato should start to elaborate its new doctrine building on and developing paragraph 24 of the strategic concept from 1999. The summit in May next year would be the right time to approve this text. We don't need to touch any of the existing fundamental texts - neither the treaty, nor the strategic concept; we just need to supplement them with language that our fellow citizens. Can see that corresponds to the new kinds of challenges.. We could not presume to be able to present NATO's new doctrine; but we have tried to put together our thoughts in written text that was just circulated. Let me submit some elements on which I think we could build: The world of today is a smaller but not a safer place. Together or one-by-one. The societies in Europe and in North America can all become the targets of all sorts of threats. Each of us can become an attractive target for attack by all those who reject what we collectively represent. We continue to face common threats. Preventing those threats requires an increased degree of international security co-operation, producing an appropriate mix of political and defence approaches and a demonstration of collective resolve. NATO continues to be the best instrument for this. It is also the strongest bridge across the Atlantic. NATO is adapting well to the new challenges. On the basis of the Prague mandates, outstanding progress has been achieved: the NRF, the new command structure and the Prague Capabilities Commitment. On the political side, enlargement is proceeding apace, while NATO's door remains open: the NATO-Russia relationship is consolidating itself and our partnerships continue to be deepened, including with our Mediterranean Dialogue partners. Stabilisation progresses in the Balkans. The strategic partnership with the European Union took a fundamental leap forward, with the conclusion of the "Berlin+" package and the launch of the first NATO-assisted and EU-led military mission in the Balkans. Other fields of collaboration will soon appear between NATO and the EU. Beyond that, a crucial political and operational transformation is also happening, as NATO's geographical area of interest grows wider. We have decided to assume a prominent role within un-mandated ISAF IV and we are considering a possible mission also in post-conflict Iraq. To be able to perform in this new environment, we need to look at the content of political consultations within the alliance. Political consultations and decision-making nowadays involve a much more complex evaluation of variable factors. The military authorities need real political guidance they cannot be held hostage to breakdowns in dialogue among allies. We should not touch the rules we live by; consensus must remain the cornerstone of allied solidarity. The problem is more of attitudes The difficulties we recently had in this regard cannot happen again. Prudence and common sense are required from all sides For the nac to remain the central seat of transatlantic solidarity, frank and free consultation among equals must be possible. At the same time, as a European and Atlantic country, Portugal sees no contradiction between a transformed NATO and a reinvigorated EU, notably in defence matters; on the contrary, we have agreed to develop a true strategic partnership between both. We believe that all allies support this. To sum up: we see that the case for maintaining NATO is strong; and we believe that it can and should assume the new roles that are now at stake. To succeed, we must approach the future with renewed confidence that the Alliance remains effective