NATO Secretary General addresses
Munich Security Conference
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer addressed senior officials attending the annual Munich Conference on Security Policy held on 9-11 February.
In his speech, the NATO Secretary General looked ahead to 2009, the 60th anniversary of the Alliance.
Starting with Afghanistan, he said: "In 2009 I think we should see Afghanistan on the road to long-term peace and stability” and "an Afghan government which is better able to take the country in its own hands."
As another objective for 2009 he mentioned a Kosovo "with a clear political status, solid institutions, serious economic development and close cooperation with Serbia and no more need for a heavy international military presence." He also hoped to see a NATO of 26 plus nations, a stronger relationship with Ukraine, and a better partnership with Russia.
"We have learned fundamental lessons from our operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo," said the NATO Secretary General. "Those are the lessons of 21st century security."
He went on to say: "We need to enshrine them in our guiding documents so that they are implemented in practice," setting the aim of a new Strategic Concept by the time of NATO’s 2009 Summit.