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| Updated: 09-Nov-2005 | NATO Update |
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Defence Ministers discuss future of NATO
Meeting in Berlin on 13 and 14 September, NATO Defence Ministers discussed the future of NATO and the kinds of missions they expect the Alliance to be taking on in 10 to 15 years. The aim was to reach “a common political understanding of what a transformed Alliance should be capable of doing in 10 to 15 years time,” explained NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Ministers also discussed the future of the Alliance’s current operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Darfur, and reviewed NATO’s role in the fight against terrorism. Preparing for future tasks Issues discussed included the kinds of forces and equipment the Alliance will require in the future, and the financing of NATO’s operations. For example, at present, individual countries pay for the majority of the costs of deploying their troops on NATO-led operations and provide the necessary equipment. Ministers talked about the possibility of NATO countries jointly financing certain aspects of Alliance operations, such as transport or hospitals, in order to make it easier for countries to contribute troops to operations. This would be similar to the NATO-owned fleet of AWACS radar planes. It is financed jointly by NATO countries, and made available to member countries as and when required. Key capabilities Ministers also examined the requirements that still need to be fulfilled in order for NATO’s Response Force to reach full operational capability by October next year. Once fully operational, the Force will number 21,000 troops, with sea, land and air units capable of deploying anywhere in the world after five days notice. It will be able to carry out the full spectrum of military operations. This was an informal meeting and no decisions were adopted; however, the discussion will allow Ministers to prepare comprehensive political guidance for NATO’s military planners.
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