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Creation
of a common forum
to discuss NATO and EU defence matters
"The New Defence Agenda (NDA)", a forum set up to
discuss NATO and EU defence and security policies, was launched
on 17 May with a conference on "Defence and Security in
an uncertain world". The aim of the NDA is to offer a platform
for political decision makers, officials, representatives from
industry and policy analysts to discuss European defence and
security issues on a regular basis and to promote an informal
debate on these issues among a wider European public.
The conference examined the issues of a wider security role
for Europe and European military capabilities. Lord Robertson
gave the keynote address, focusing on military capabilities
and the growing gap between the capabilities of the United States
and those of other NATO member countries. He summarised his
thoughts by saying: "A more coherent focus on key capabilities,
re-vitalised arms cooperation, and a more serious commitment
to European Security and Defence Policy: these are the three
major steps that need to be taken in my view to ensure the vitality
of the transatlantic security bond. None of these steps would
lead to a total convergence of US and European defence capabilities.
[…] But while the US and Allied capabilities would not
necessarily be comparable in their overall strength, they would
nonetheless be compatible, complementary and interoperable".
The conference also set the agenda for the five working groups
created under the NDA, which will meet four times a year to
cover:
- European force projection and capabilities (Working Group
I);
- Europe's Security Aims and its global defence role (Working
Group II);
- Conflict prevention and anti-terrorism policies (Working
Group III);
- The transatlantic relationship: military, political and
industrial (Working Group IV);
- Defence-led Research & Development and industrial innovation
in Europe (Working Group V).
The NDA aims to publish Discussion Papers, raise media attention
on European defence issues through its "Rapid Reaction
Forum" and organise a high-level conference once a year.
It has been created by Forum Europe, a leading EU issues group,
in cooperation with NATO, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Lockheed
Martin Cooperation, and in association with the European Defence
Industries Group, the Western European Armaments Group and Euractiv,
a group that brings together European opinion formers. Further
information on the NDA can be found at: http://www.newdefenceagenda.org
Additional
information:
- Defence
and Security in an Uncertain World
- Keynote Speech
by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson - Forum Europe,
Brussels - 17 May 2002
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