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Ladies and Gentlemen, a very warm welcome to this informal meeting of Defence Ministers. I welcome in particular Minister Pratt of Canada and Minister Liska of Slovakia, who are taking part in a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers for the first time.

This is of course the first Ministerial meeting under my chairmanship. Allow me to state at the outset that I consider it a genuine honour and privilege to serve as your Chairman.

Let me, on your behalf, thank our host, Peter Struck, for having organised this meeting so well and at such short notice.

As we speak, NATO is making an indispensable contribution to peace and stability in the Balkans and, increasingly, in Afghanistan, while Allied maritime forces are conducting operations in the Mediterranean in the fight against terrorism. These operations and our soldiers serving in them must be supported by modern military capabilities. That is why we must pursue our Prague transformation programme with renewed intensity and commitment.

The operations I have mentioned testify to the Alliance's ability and determination to render a unique service to international peace and security, and to do so in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

As I suggested in my letter to you, I propose we focus on ongoing Alliance operations and Alliance transformation, all with a view to preparing for decisions to be taken at the Istanbul Summit.

I want now to offer the floor to our host for any brief words of introduction that he may have.