Last update: 03-Mar-2004 18:46 | NATO Update |
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Secretary General calls for more contributions to Afghanistan mission
The expansion of NATO’s mission in Afghanistan and preparations
for the Istanbul Summit topped the agenda during Mr. de Hoop Scheffer’s
visits to Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg, 26 February to 1 March.
Mr. de Hoop Scheffer is continuing his round of visits to all NATO member countries to outline his priorities as Secretary General and to consult on key issues on the Alliance’s agenda. More troops for Afghanistan In Madrid, on 26 February, the Secretary General had an audience with King Juan Carlos and met with Prime Minister José Maria Aznar, Foreign Minister Ana Palacio and Defence Minister Federico Trillo. Mr. de Hoop Scheffer told reporters neither NATO nor the international community could afford to fail in their effort to stabilize the country. Looking to Istanbul The Secretary General also discussed the preparations for the upcoming Summit meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government, due to take place in Istanbul this June. One of the main topics envisaged on the Summit agenda are plans for expanding and deepening NATO’s programme of cooperation with its Mediterranean partner countries, known as the Mediterranean Dialogue. This topic, as well as Afghanistan, was also discussed by the Secretary General in Lisbon on 27 February, where he met with the President Jorge Sampaio, Prime Minister José Manuel Durão Barroso, Foreign Minister Teresa Patrício Gouveia and Defence Minister Paulo Portas. Speaking to reporters in Lisbon, Mr. de Hoop Scheffer also said that the Alliance would probably agree to consider a formal role in the stabilization effort in Iraq, if asked to do so by a legitimate Iraqi government. The Secretary General concluded this current round of visits with
a trip to Luxembourg on 1 March, for an audience with the Grand Duke,
as well
as meetings with Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, Foreign Minister
Lydie Polfer and Defence Minister Charles Goerens.
Mr. de Hoop Scheffer also met with President Parliament Mr. Jean Spautz and addressed the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. During the visit, the Secretary General also announced his intention to invite Russian President Putin to the Istanbul Summit. |