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Synopsis: Results of Reagan-Gorbachev talks - Basis for better East-West relations - US-Soviet commitment to achieving progress in Geneva negotiations - Interim INF agreement - Principle of 50% reductions in US and USSR nuclear arms - LRINF deployment - Objectives of flexible response and forward defence - Role of nuclear weapons - Conventional Defence Improvements (CDI) - Introduction of modern systems - CDI related infrastructure projects - Progress towards 30 day objective for selected ammunition socks - Emerging technologies - NATO Identification System (NIS) - Renewed emphasis on aid to Greece, Portugal and Turkey - Endorsement of conceptual military framework - Improved co-ordination of planning - Developments outside the NATO Treaty area - Compensatory measures to ensure maintenance of deterrence and defence within the NATO area - Results of 1985 Annual Defence Review - Adoption of NATO Force Plan 1986-1990 - Provision of adequate resources - Importance of improvements in use of resources, arms cooperation and sharing technology - Protection of militarily relevant technology - CNAD report on enhancement of armaments cooperation.

  1. The Defence Planning Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization met in Ministerial Session in Brussels on 3rd December 1985.
     
  2. Ministers welcomed the results achieved by President Reagan in his talks with General Secretary Gorbachev. We restated our full support of the efforts of the United States, in close consultation with its Allies, to reach agreement with the Soviet Union in order to provide a more stable peace. We are hopeful that this meeting has laid a basis for better relations between East and West. We especially welcome the commitment of both sides to making early progress in the negotiations in Geneva, in particular in areas where there is common ground, including the idea of an interim INF agreement and the principle of 50 percent reductions in nuclear arms of the United States and the Soviet Union, appropriately applied. In this context we expressed strong support for the United States stance concerning intermediate range, strategic, and defence and space systems. Alliance solidarity and cohesion have played an important role in bringing these developments about and will remain equally vital far future progress. We call upon the Soviet Union to work to achieve this early progress.
     
  3. We noted with satisfaction that deployment of longer-range INF missiles is proceeding on schedule in all the countries involved, in the absence of a concrete negotiated result with the Soviet Union which would obviate the need for such deployment. At the same time we reiterated our willingness to reverse, halt or modify this deployment - including the removal and dismantling of missiles already deployed - upon achievement of a balanced, equitable and verifiable agreement calling for such action. (1)
     
  4. We are convinced that a continued strong and united Alliance is essential for achieving our goal of peace and security at the lowest possible level of forces. The objective of NATO's strategy of flexible response and forward defence is the prevention of all war. Nuclear weapons play an essential part in achieving this objective. But we are determined to strengthen the credibility of our strategy by avoiding an undue reliance on the early use of nuclear weapons through the special effort to improve our conventional capabilities.
     
  5. This year we have set in hand actions that provide the necessary framework for achieving our objective of improving our conventional defences. Much of the significance of this work lies in the longer term, and we expect a steady pattern of improvements. We welcomed first signs of progress, but stressed that this must be a continuing effort. Achieving more effective conventional forces will require sustained commitment by all. The work under way includes:
  • the Conventional Defence Improvements (CDI) effort, a comprehensive review of Alliance defence requirements which encourages a greater degree of convergence between Alliance and national planning, and which identifies those areas where special attention will provide the greatest return, both in the medium and long term. The first reactions to CDI have been encouraging. We welcome the progress already made in addressing the key to deficiencies, and reaffirm our determination to place special emphasis on these areas in our national planning;
     
  • steady modernization through the introduction of modern, more capable systems. As a result of this process the ratio of new to old equipment in our armed forces is improving markedly and will do so even more substantially in the future;
  • the decision last December to double the infrastructure budget and increase the number of hardened aircraft shelters: planning is well advanced to increase the pace at which NATO can complete infrastructure projects, and roughly 90% of the budget will be spent on projects related to CDI;
  • implementation of the decision last December to acquire more ammunition stocks for selected battle decisive systems. The results are promising particularly in the Central Region. Most nations plan more rapid progress towards achieving the 30-day objective in the selected high priority items and there have also been improvements in plans for other ammunition items;
  • continued exploitation of emerging technologies;
  • progress towards a NATO Identification System (NIS);
  • a fresh emphasis on the need to provide more aid, and by more nations, to Greece, Portugal and Turkey in order to help them overcome known deficiencies in their forces and carry out their missions more effectively to the advantage of the Alliance;
  • endorsement of a conceptual military framework developed by NATO's military authorities which provides nations with broad, longer term guidance on the military requirements of NATO strategy;
  • the improved coordination of the various planning areas to help provide a more effective distribution of resources.
     
  1. Recalling the documents in the 1982 Bonn Summit we reaffirm the position adopted in previous communiquéss concerning developments outside the NATO Treaty area that might threaten the vital interests of members of the Alliance. Against the background of United States planning for its rapidly deployable forces, we reviewed continuing work on measures necessary to maintain deterrence and defence within the NATO area. We will ensure that NATO defence planning continues to take account of the need for compensatory measures.
     
  2. With the objective of improving our conventional forces firmly in mind, we discussed the results of the 1985 Annual Defence Review and adopted the NATO Force Plan for 1986-1990.
     
  3. Achieving the objective of better conventional forces will not be easy. The provision of adequate resources in accordance with the 1985 Ministerial Guidance will continue to be a serious challenge for all nations. This will require an even greater emphasis on making better use of resources and on improved cooperation and coordination. Better arms cooperation and sharing of technology between the European and North American and the developed and developing members of the Alliance are vital parts of this process, as is the continued protection of militarily relevant technology.
     
  4. We emphasized the. major contribution which cooperation on the research, development and production of armaments can play in the strengthening of conventional defences in the context of the current Conventional Defence Improvements effort. We welcomed a report by the CNAD on the enhancement of Alliance armaments cooperation, and we noted that this is to be considered by the North Atlantic Council at their meeting on 12th/13th December 1985. At a recent special meeting, the North Atlantic Council had positive discussions on several concrete measures, including co-operative research and development programmes. We welcomed in particular the major step forward by the CNAD in developing an improvement strategy for the enhancement of armaments cooperation with which all the governments of the Alliance can be associated. We committed ourselves to carry forward this important work.
     
  5. We are confident that we have laid the essential groundwork in the short, medium and long term for the objective of achieving more effective conventional forces. Much of course remains to be done. We need a continuing and sustained effort. But we have made a good start; current progress augurs well for the future.

Greece reserves its position on the INF and space system issues.

The Minister of Defence of Spain reserves his Government's position on the present Communiqué.

Footnote:

 

1. Denmark reserve their positions on INF.