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Updated: 30-Oct-2006 | NATO Speeches |
Portorož, 28 Sept. 2006 |
Address Informal Session of the Ministers of Defence in Portorož
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, It is great to be here. As NATO Secretary General, I have a pretty busy schedule, including here in Slovenia. But I have made it a rule that, whenever my calendar permits, I will try to meet with university audiences. Because I sincerely believe that meetings with the so-called “successor generation” are critically important in building and sustaining a true security community. This event here today is truly special. You have demonstrated your interest in international security and NATO in perhaps the strongest way possible: by simulating the “real” Atlantic Alliance. Simulating NATO certainly isn’t easy. After all, you have had to re-create an Alliance:
So now to the key question: Did you manage? Does your Model NATO correspond to reality? Of, course, I could not be part of your proceedings, but judging from your conclusions and recommendations, I can only say: mission accomplished. Congratulations. What you say about Afghanistan, the NATO Response Force, the need for Allied solidarity and other issues shows a very good understanding of the challenges before us. I am very heartened by all the work that you have done. To me, your “Model NATO” clearly shows that not only is there a successor generation, but that it is also a very engaged one. And I hope that for you, it has become even clearer that our Atlantic Alliance is a most valuable instrument for protecting and promoting our common values and security interests. Of course, I am now all the more curious to see if the “real” NATO Defence Ministers will do as well as you have done. In a few minutes, when our Defence Ministerial begins, I will have the opportunity to find out. |
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