5 July 2004

NATO after Istanbul News 02/07/2004 - NATO NATO Secretary General to visit the Netherlands 5 July 2004 Opinions 05/07/2004 - NATO "NATO after the Istanbul Summit". Speech by NATO Secretary General at the Netherlands Atlantic Association, The Hague, Netherlands Links NATO Istanbul Summit Istanbul Summit, 28 and 29 June During a visit to the Netherlands on 5 July, NATO Secretary Jaap De Hoop Scheffer said NATO’s Istanbul Summit demonstrated a “new transatlantic unity”. “All Summits have two dimensions. They are about symbolism, and they are about substance. Both dimensions are crucially important. I am happy to report that Istanbul delivered on both counts,” said Mr. De Hoop Scheffer in an address to the Netherlands Atlantic Association. The Secretary General's visit to the Hague focused on the outcome of NATO’s Istanbul Summit. He met with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, Foreign Minister Ben Bot and Defence Minister Henk Kamp and was received by Her Royal Highness Queen Beatrix. Speaking to reporters he said that, in addition to demonstrating unity on key issues such as Iraq and Afghanistan, the Summit endorsed important decisions regarding NATO’s operational capabilities. This will include looking at changing the way NATO plans and finances operations and ensuring that member countries can provide the types of forces the Alliance needs for new operations in new areas, such as the NATO-led force in Afghanistan.