13 May 2005

NATO Secretary General visits Germany The Federal Republic of Germany becomes a member of NATO News 10/05/2005 NATO Secretary General to visit Berlin on 11-12 May 2005 10/05/2005 Germany's accession to NATO: 50 years on Opinions 11/05/2005 - NATO Deutschland und die NATO: 1955-2020, speech by NATO Secretary General 12/05/2005 - NATO Perspektiven der Sicherheitspolitik im Zusammenspiel von EU und NATO, speech by NATO Secretary General Speaking at a conference marking the 50th anniversary of Germany joining NATO, Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer called for more political dialogue at NATO and greater co-operation between the EU and NATO. Mr. De Hoop Scheffer visited Berlin on 11 and 12 May to meet with Defence Minister Peter Struck, Parliamentarians from the foreign affairs committee and to deliver a keynote speech at the conference “NATO 2020” at the German Council on Foreign Relations. The conference marked the 50th anniversary of German membership in NATO. Strengthening Transatlantic dialogue Speaking in German on the future of the Alliance, the Secretary General said that political debate within NATO should be seen as a chance not a threat, and repeated his call for more strategic Transatlantic dialogue at NATO. Mr. De Hoop Scheffer also addressed students at the Humboldt University, where he called for greater cooperation between the European Union and NATO. This cooperation was a “must” the Secretary General said, adding that Transatlantic dialogue could be strengthened through bi-annual informal meetings of NATO and EU Foreign Ministers.