NATO HQ. 13 Nov. 2003

Speech by the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Minuto Rizzo at the Signing ceremony with the Press in the margins of the NATO C3 Board meeting 13 November NATO Network Enabled Capability – Multinational Feasibility Study Ladies and Gentlemen, At the Prague Summit NATO Heads of State and Government made a number of key decisions to transform the Alliance and ensure it continues to be a leading organisation for effective action in the field of Defence and Security. In particular, NATO Heads of State and Government established the NATO Response Force (NRF) and the Prague Capabilities Commitment (PCC). These capabilities will provide a major improvement in the ability of the Alliance to conduct its mission. We will probably not be able to say in advance who will contribute what capability for any particular mission. That is why it should be possible to plug capabilities together to achieve the required seamless and timely flow of information between national capabilities and NATO commonly funded capabilities. This “plug and play concept”, combined with new doctrine for Alliance operations to be developed by the Allied Command for Transformation – this is the heart of the vision for a NATO Network Enabled Capability. The NATO Consultation, Command and Control Board has recognised the need to address the many complex technical and other issues raised by this vision for a NATO Enabled Network Capability. Nine NATO nations in particular have put their hands in their pockets and have agreed to fund a feasibility study into these issues. The Alliance is highly grateful to Canada, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, The United Kingdom and The United States for this effort. I would now like to invite the nations to sign the arrangement for this feasibility study and pose for a photograph. To help me answer your questions, we have here today: The Permanent Chairman of the NATO C3 Board and Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investments, Mr Robert BELL, His two Co-vice Chairmen IGA François NAVILLE and Maj. Gen. Frans PICAVET and The General Manager of the NATO C3 Agency Mr Peter Dicks who will carry out the feasibility study. If I could bring this ceremony to a close, I would like to thank you for your time today. Please do not forget to take a copy of the Press Release with you.