NATO HQ June 2003

Statement by Kristin Krohn Devold, Minister of Defence of Norway at the Multinational Capability Projects Signing Ceremony during the Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers session Lord Robertson: Now let me turn to the second signing event. Strategic sealift represents the other side of the coin in ensuring NATO nations can get their forces in the right place in the right amount of time. And the recent campaign in Iraq demonstrated how important a role sealift can play in that regard. And NATO commanders have identified an overall significant European shortfall in roll-on/roll-off, multiple purpose and container ships. Eight nations signed a Statement of Intent at the Prague Summit in November to provide assured sealift assets for rapidly-deployable forces. Today ten nations, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany... France, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Turkey are signing this Letter of Intent to provide the Alliance with the critical capabilities to begin closing this shortfall. So let me congratulate Norway on its strong leadership in this particular field, and also Denmark on its very active contribution as well. And I'll ask Norwegian Minister of Defence, Kristin Krohn Devold to say a brief word. You have the floor Kristin. Kristin Krohn Devold: Thank you Mr. Chairman. The Statement of Intent signed at the Prague Summit was a clear commitment to improve NATO's strategic sealift capability, in particular assured sealift capabilities for rapid deployed forces. The creation of NATO Response Force has put increased emphasis on this. Ten nations signed the Letter of Intent today. Through this Letter of Intent we express our intention to follow a multinational approach consisting of two complementary sources for sealift assets; assured access contracts and full-time charter contracts. The Alliance will have at its disposal 12 to 14 ships with the majority being ro-ro ships, in a mix between full-time charter and access contracts. This approach will also cater for national requirements. We also commit to fully explore the existing sealift co-ordination facilities in order to avoid duplication of efforts and to gain cost effectiveness. There are still a few outstanding issues to be resolved. However, I'm convinced our approach is the right direction and remain confident that we will succeed. In closing, I would like to emphasize that we welcome any nation to sign the Letter of Intent whenever they feel ready to do so. Thank you, Mr. Chairman Lord Robertson: Thank you very much, Kristin. We'll now sign the document. (Signing) It should of course be remembered that some nations already have strategic sealift access... assets themselves, so those who don't sign should not be deemed to be unwilling to acquire them. But those who still need them should sign up later on.