An Alliance
for the 21st Century
1.We, the Heads of State and Government of the member
countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in Washington
to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NATO and to set forth our
vision of the Alliance of the 21st century. The North Atlantic
Alliance, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty
and the rule of law, remains the basis of our collective defence;
it embodies the transatlantic link that binds North America and
Europe in a unique defence and security partnership.
2.Fifty years ago, the North Atlantic Alliance was
founded in troubled and uncertain times. It has withstood the
test of five decades and allowed the citizens of Allied countries
to enjoy an unprecedented period of peace, freedom and prosperity.
Here in Washington, we have paid tribute to the achievements of
the past and we have shaped a new Alliance to meet the challenges
of the future. This new Alliance will be larger, more capable
and more flexible, committed to collective defence and able to
undertake new missions including contributing to effective conflict
prevention and engaging actively in crisis management, including
crisis response operations. The Alliance will work with other
nations and organisations to advance security, prosperity and
democracy throughout the EuroAtlantic region. The presence
today of three new Allies the Czech Republic, Hungary and
Poland demonstrates that we have overcome the division
of Europe.
3.The Alliance takes the opportunity of this 50th
anniversary to recognise and express its heartfelt appreciation
for the commitment, sacrifice, resolve and loyalty of the servicemen
and women of all Allies to the cause of freedom. The Alliance
salutes these active and reserve forces' essential contributions,
which for 50 years have guaranteed freedom and safeguarded transAtlantic
security. Our nations and our Alliance are in their debt and offer
them profound thanks.
4.The NATO of the 21st century starts today
a NATO which retains the strengths of the past and has new missions,
new members and new partnerships. To this end, we have:
approved an updated Strategic
Concept;
reaffirmed our commitment to the enlargement process
of the Alliance and approved a Membership Action Plan for countries
wishing to join;
completed the work on key elements of the Berlin
Decisions on building the European Security and Defence Identity
within the Alliance and decided to further enhance its effectiveness;
launched the Defence Capabilities Initiative;
intensified our relations with Partners through an
enhanced and more operational Partnership for Peace and strengthened
our consultations and cooperation within the EuroAtlantic
Partnership Council;
enhanced the Mediterranean Dialogue; and
decided to increase Alliance efforts against weapons
of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
5.As part of the Alliance's adaptation to the new
security challenges, we have updated our Strategic Concept to
make it fully consistent with the Alliance's new security environment.
The updated Concept reaffirms our commitment to collective defence
and the transatlantic link; takes account of the challenges the
Alliance now faces; presents an Alliance ready and with a full
range of capabilities to enhance the security and stability of
the EuroAtlantic area; reaffirms our commitment to building
the ESDI within the Alliance; highlights the enhanced role of
partnership and dialogue; underlines the need to develop defence
capabilities to their full potential to meet the spectrum of Alliance
missions, including forces which are more deployable, sustainable,
survivable and able to engage effectively; and provides guidance
to the NATO Military Authorities to this end.
6.To achieve its essential purpose, as an Alliance
of nations committed to the Washington Treaty and the United Nations
Charter, the Alliance performs the following fundamental security
tasks:
Security: To provide one
of the indispensable foundations for a stable EuroAtlantic
security environment, based on the growth of democratic institutions
and commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes, in which
no country would be able to intimidate or coerce any other through
the threat or use of force.
Consultation: To serve, as provided for in Article
4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, as an essential transatlantic
forum for Allied consultations on any issues that affect their
vital interests, including possible developments posing risks
for members' security, and for appropriate coordination
of their efforts in fields of common concern.
Deterrence and Defence: To deter and defend against
any threat of aggression against any NATO member state as provided
for in Articles 5 and 6 of the Washington Treaty.
And in order to enhance the security and stability
of the EuroAtlantic area:
Crisis Management: To stand
ready, casebycase and by consensus, in conformity
with Article 7 of the Washington Treaty, to contribute to effective
conflict prevention and to engage actively in crisis management,
including crisis response operations.
Partnership: To promote wideranging partnership,
cooperation, and dialogue with other countries in the EuroAtlantic
area, with the aim of increasing transparency, mutual confidence
and the capacity for joint action with the Alliance.
7.We warmly welcome the participation of the three
new Allies the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland
in their first Alliance Summit meeting. Their accession to the
North Atlantic Treaty opens a new chapter in the history of the
Atlantic Alliance.
We reaffirm today our commitment to the openness
of the Alliance under Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty
and in accordance with Paragraph 8 of the Madrid Summit Declaration.
We pledge that NATO will continue to welcome new members in a
position to further the principles
of the Treaty and contribute to peace and security
in the EuroAtlantic area. This is part of an evolutionary
process that takes into account political and security developments
in the whole of Europe. Our commitment to enlargement is part
of a broader strategy of projecting stability and working together
with our Partners to build a Europe whole and free. The ongoing
enlargement process strengthens the Alliance and enhances the
security and stability of the EuroAtlantic region. The three
new members will not be the last.
At the Summit in Madrid we recognised the progress
made by a number of countries aspiring to join the Alliance in
meeting the responsibilities and obligations for possible membership.
Today we recognise and welcome the continuing efforts
and progress in both Romania and Slovenia. We also recognise and
welcome continuing efforts and progress in Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania. Since the Madrid Summit, we note and welcome positive
developments in Bulgaria. We also note and welcome recent positive
developments in Slovakia. We are grateful for the cooperation
of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia[3]
with NATO in the present crisis and welcome its progress on reforms.
We welcome Albania's cooperation with the Alliance in the
present crisis and encourage its reform efforts.
We welcome the efforts and progress aspiring members
have made, since we last met, to advance political, military and
economic reforms. We appreciate the results achieved, and look
forward to further progress by these countries in strengthening
their democratic institutions and in restructuring their economies
and militaries. We take account of the efforts of these aspiring
members, together with a number of other Partner countries, to
improve relations with neighbours and contribute to security and
stability of the EuroAtlantic region. We look forward to
further deepening our cooperation with aspiring countries
and to increasing their political and military involvement in
the work of the Alliance.
The Alliance expects to extend further invitations
in coming years to nations willing and able to assume the responsibilities
and obligations of membership, and as NATO determines that the
inclusion of these nations would serve the overall political and
strategic interests of the Alliance and that the inclusion would
enhance overall European security and stability. To give substance
to this commitment, NATO will maintain an active relationship
with those nations that have expressed an interest in NATO membership
as well as those who may wish to seek membership in the future.
Those nations that have expressed an interest in becoming NATO
members will remain under active consideration for future membership.
No European democratic country whose admission would fulfil the
objectives of the Treaty will be excluded from consideration,
regardless of its geographic location, each being considered on
its own merits. All states have the inherent right to choose the
means to ensure their own security. Furthermore, in order to enhance
overall security and stability in Europe, further steps in the
ongoing enlargement process of the Alliance should balance the
security concerns of all Allies.
We welcome the aspirations of the nine countries
currently interested in joining the Alliance. Accordingly, we
are ready to provide advice, assistance and practical support.
To this end, we approve today a Membership Action Plan which includes
the following elements:
the submission by aspiring
members of individual annual national programmes on their preparations
for possible future membership, covering political, economic,
defence, resource, security and legal aspects;
a focused and candid feedback mechanism on aspirant
countries' progress on their programmes that includes both political
and technical advice, as well as annual 19+1 meetings at Council
level to assess progress;
a clearinghouse to help coordinate assistance
by NATO and by member states to aspirant countries in the defence/military
field;
a defence planning approach for aspirants which includes
elaboration and review of agreed planning targets.
We direct that NATO Foreign Ministers keep the enlargement
process,including the implementation of the Membership Action
Plan, under continual review and report to us. We will review
the process at our next Summit meeting which will be held no later
than 2002.
8.We reaffirm our commitment to preserve the transatlantic
link, including our readiness to pursue common security objectives
through the Alliance wherever possible. We are pleased with the
progress achieved in implementing the Berlin decisions and reaffirm
our strong commitment to pursue the process of reinforcing the
European pillar of the Alliance on the basis of our Brussels Declaration
of 1994 and of the principles agreed at Berlin in 1996. We note
with satisfaction that the key elements of the Berlin decisions
are being put in place. These include flexible options for the
selection of a European NATO Commander and NATO Headquarters for
WEUled operations, as well as specific terms of reference
for DSACEUR and an adapted CJTF concept. Close linkages between
the two organisations have been established, including planning,
exercises (in particular a joint crisis management exercise in
2000) and consultation, as well as a framework for the release
and return of Alliance assets and capabilities.
9.We welcome the new impetus given to the strengthening
of a common European policy in security and defence by the Amsterdam
Treaty and the reflections launched since then in the WEU and
following the St. Malo Declaration in the EU, including
the Vienna European Council Conclusions. This is a process which
has implications for all Allies. We confirm that a stronger European
role will help contribute to the vitality of our Alliance for
the 21st century, which is the foundation of the collective defence
of its members. In this regard:
a. We acknowledge the resolve
of the European Union to have the capacity for autonomous action
so that it can take decisions and approve military action where
the Alliance as a whole is not engaged;
b. As this process goes forward, NATO and the EU
should ensure the development of effective mutual consultation,
cooperation and transparency, building on the mechanisms
existing between NATO and the WEU;
c. We applaud the determination of both EU members
and other European Allies to take the necessary steps to strengthen
their defence capabilities, especially for new missions, avoiding
unnecessary duplication;
d. We attach the utmost importance to ensuring the
fullest possible involvement of nonEU European Allies in
EUled crisis response operations, building on existing consultation
arrangements within the WEU. We also note Canada's interest in
participating in such operations under appropriate modalities.
e. We are determined that the decisions taken in
Berlin in 1996, including the concept of using separable but not
separate NATO assets and capabilities for WEUled operations,
should be further developed.
10.On the basis of the above principles and building
on the Berlin decisions, we therefore stand ready to define and
adopt the necessary arrangements for ready access by the European
Union to the collective assets and capabilities of the Alliance,
for operations in which the Alliance as a whole is not engaged
militarily as an Alliance. The Council in Permanent Session will
approve these arrangements, which will respect the requirements
of NATO operations and the coherence of its command structure,
and should address:
a. Assured EU access to NATO
planning capabilities able to contribute to military planning
for EUled operations;
b. The presumption of availability to the EU of preidentified
NATO capabilities and common assets for use in EUled operations;
c. Identification of a range of European command
options for EUled operations, further developing the role
of DSACEUR in order for him to assume fully and effectively his
European responsibilities;
d. The further adaptation of NATO's defence planning
system to incorporate more comprehensively the availability of
forces for EUled operations.
We task the Council in Permanent Session to address
these measures on an ongoing basis, taking into account the evolution
of relevant arrangements in the EU. The Council will make recommendations
to the next Ministerial meeting for its consideration.
11.We have launched a Defence Capabilities Initiative
to improve the defence capabilities of the Alliance to ensure
the effectiveness of future multinational operations across the
full spectrum of Alliance missions in the present and foreseeable
security environment with a special focus on
improving interoperability among Alliance forces
(and where applicable also between Alliance and Partner forces).
Defence capabilities will be increased through improvements in
the deployability and mobility of Alliance forces, their sustainability
and logistics, their survivability and effective engagement capability,
and command and control and information systems. In this connection,
we endorse the Council decision to begin implementing the Multinational
Joint Logistics Centre concept by the end of 1999, and to develop
the C3 system architecture by 2002 to form a basis for an integrated
Alliance core capability allowing interoperability with national
systems. We have established a temporary HighLevel Steering
Group to oversee the implementation of the Defence Capabilities
Initiative and to meet the requirement of coordination and
harmonisation among relevant planning disciplines, including for
Allies concerned force planning, with the aim of achieving lasting
effects on improvements in capabilities and interoperability.
Improvements in interoperability and critical capabilities should
also strengthen the European pillar in NATO.
12.We reaffirm our commitment to the 1995 Peace Agreement,
negotiated in Dayton and signed in Paris, which established Bosnia
and Herzegovina as a single, democratic and multiethnic
state, and to the full implementation of the Peace Agreement.
We reiterate our readiness to work constructively with all Parties
that support the Peace Agreement and seek to implement it.
13.The Madrid Peace Implementation Council meeting
in December 1998 confirmed that the next two years would be vital
in strengthening the peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina and
recognised that SFOR's presence remains essential, both to keep
the peace and to provide the secure environment and support for
civilian implementation. Return of refugees to areas in which
they are a minority will remain vital for political stability
and reconciliation. We will support efforts to take this process
forward.
14.SFOR will continue to work closely and effectively
with the High Representative, whose role we support, the International
Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the OSCE and other
major international organisations, the UN International Police
Task Force and other agencies implementing the civilian aspects
of the Peace Agreement. We commend the crucial contribution of
men and women of both NATO and Partner countries serving in SFOR,
who are helping to bring peace to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
15.SFOR's presence cannot, however, be maintained
indefinitely. SFOR is being streamlined through efficiency measures.
We note that the Council in Permanent Session is examining options
on the future size and structure of SFOR.
16.The continuing crisis in and around Kosovo threatens
to further destabilise areas beyond the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(FRY). The potential for wider instability underscores the need
for a comprehensive approach to the stabilisation of the crisis
region in SouthEastern Europe.
We recognise and endorse the crucial importance of
making SouthEastern Europe a region free from violence and
instability. A new level of international engagement is thus needed
to build security, prosperity and democratic civil society, leading
in time to full integration into the wider European family.
17.NATO is determined to play its full part in this
process by contributing to the building of a more secure and cooperative
relationship with and between the countries of the region. Given
the differences in economic development and the diversity and
complexity of the problems of each country in the region, international
efforts to develop and stabilise the region must be comprehensive,
coherent and well coordinated. To achieve these ends, NATO,
the WEU, the EU, the OSCE and the UN must work closely together.
The international financial institutions also have a crucial role
to play. The Alliance's efforts to enhance regional security and
stability in SouthEastern Europe and to help resolve humanitarian
problems, and the efforts by other international organisations,
as well as those by the countries of the region, should be mutually
reinforcing.
18.We will be meeting with colleagues from the countries
of SouthEastern Europe tomorrow. We intend to build on that
meeting by maintaining NATO's consultations with the countries
of the region. Accordingly, we will propose to them a consultative
forum on security matters which
brings together all NATO members and countries of
the region at an appropriate level.
19.We direct the Council in Permanent Session, building
on, as appropriate, the existing EAPC and PfP framework, to give
substance to this proposal, inter alia, in the following areas:
19+1 consultations where
appropriate;
the promotion of regional cooperation in the
framework of an EAPC cooperative mechanism, taking into
account other regional initiatives;
targeted NATO security cooperation programmes
for the countries in the region, as appropriate;
regionally focused PfP activities and exercises;
better targeting and coordination of Allies'
and Partners' bilateral assistance to the region.
20.The Alliance's efforts to enhance regional security
in SouthEastern Europe complement those by other international
organisations, as well as those by the countries of the region.
We welcome the forthcoming European Union conference on a Stability
Pact for SouthEastern Europe on 27th May 1999, and the SouthEastern
Europe Cooperation process, as well as other regional efforts.
Coherence and coordination between the various initiatives
will be of great importance.
21.The security of the Balkan region is essential
to achieving lasting stability throughout the EuroAtlantic
area. Our goal is to see the integration of the countries of the
region into the EuroAtlantic community. We want all the
countries and peoples of SouthEastern Europe to enjoy peace
and security and establish normal relations with one another,
based on respect of human rights, democracy, individual liberty
and the rule of law.
22.We reaffirm our commitment to consultation, partnership
and practical cooperation through the EuroAtlantic
Partnership Council and the Partnership for Peace. We commit ourselves
today to build an enhanced and more operational relationship with
Partners for the 21st century that strengthens stability, mutual
confidence, and security throughout the EuroAtlantic area.
The EAPC and the PfP have transformed politicalmilitary
relations across the continent and have become the instruments
of choice when the Alliance and its Partners consult and act together
in the pursuit of peace and security. We look forward to consulting
with our Partners at tomorrow's EAPC Summit meeting.
23.The EAPC, founded in 1997, contributes substantially
to stronger political consultation and practical cooperation
between the Alliance and its Partners, for solutions to security
issues. We applaud this expanded dimension of political consultations,
which has enhanced transparency and confidence among all EAPC
members. The Alliance and its Partners have consulted regularly
on regional security issues, such as on Bosnia and Herzegovina
and on Kosovo. We have also developed new areas of cooperation
such as peacekeeping, humanitarian demining, control over
transfer of small arms, and the coordination
of disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
24.We welcome the successful fulfilment by the Alliance
and its Partners of five years of Partnership for Peace and the
full implementation of PfP enhancements launched in 1997. Enhanced
PfP has ensured that NATOPartner cooperation contributes
concretely to EuroAtlantic stability and security. The participation
of 15 PfP Partners in IFOR/SFOR demonstrates the reallife
benefits of PfP's focus on interoperability and provides valuable
lessons for future AlliancePartner cooperation. The
presence of Partner officers in an international capacity in NATO
military headquarters enables Partners to participate in planning
for NATOPfP exercises and NATOled PfP operations.
Enhanced PfP has also permitted NATO to take action to assist
Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with their
unique security concerns.
25.We welcome and take special note of the initiatives
designed to make the Partnership more operational and ensure greater
Partner involvement in appropriate decisionmaking and planning,
as we had envisioned in our Madrid Declaration. These steps will
ensure that the Partnership will be better able to address its
objectives, and will provide a solid foundation for its continuing
evolution as the core of a cooperative security network
between NATO and its Partners for the 21st century. To further
this goal, we have today approved the following comprehensive
package.
We have:
approved a PoliticalMilitary
Framework for NATOled PfP operations, which will enhance
Partners' roles in political guidance and oversight, planning,
and command arrangements for such operations;
endorsed the expanded and adapted Planning and Review
Process, which will further enhance interoperability of Partner
forces declared available for PfP activities, and will allow for
more focused and increased Partner contributions of valuable forces
and capabilities for future NATOled PfP operations;
endorsed the outline Operational Capabilities Concept
for NATOled PfP operations, which will provide for deeper
military cooperation between the Alliance and Partners with
the goal of improving the ability of Partner forces and capabilities
to operate with the Alliance in NATOled PfP operations and
directed the Council in Permanent Session to pursue its further
development;
endorsed the outline programme on enhancing PfP training
and education to optimise and harmonise NATO and national PfP
activities in order to meet the current and future demands of
an enhanced and more operational PfP. The outline programme includes
the role of three new PfP tools a PfP Consortium of Defence
Academies and Security Studies Institutes, a PfP Exercise Simulation
Network and PfP Training Centres. We directed the Council in Permanent
Session to develop a PfP Training and Education Enhancement Programme.
26.We remain firmly committed to our partnership
with Russia under the NATORussia Founding Act. NATO and
Russia have a common objective in strengthening security and stability
in the EuroAtlantic area. Throughout the Kosovo crisis,
NATO and Russia have shared the common goals of the international
community: to halt the violence, to avert a humanitarian catastrophe,
and to create the conditions for a political solution. These goals
remain valid. Consultation and dialogue are even more important
in times of crisis. NATO and its member countries are determined
to build on the areas of common ground with Russia concerning
the international response to the crisis in Kosovo and remain
ready to resume consultations and cooperation in the framework
of the Founding Act.
27.Close relations between NATO and Russia are of
great importance to stability and security in the EuroAtlantic
area. Since the conclusion of the Founding Act in May 1997, considerable
and encouraging progress has been made in intensifying consultation
and cooperation with Russia. The NATORussia Permanent
Joint Council has developed into an important venue to consult,
to promote transparency and confidencebuilding, and to foster
cooperation. Russia's participation in the implementation
of the peace agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina was a significant
step towards a new cooperative relationship. We have developed
an extensive dialogue on such matters as disarmament and arms
control, including the adaptation of the CFE Treaty; peacekeeping
and nuclear weapons issues. Strategy, defence policy and doctrines,
budgets and infrastructure development programmes, and nonproliferation,
are further examples of this increasing cooperation.
28.We attach great importance to a strong, enduring
and distinctive partnership between NATO and Ukraine. Ukraine
has an important role to play in enhancing security and stability
in the EuroAtlantic area and in particular in Central and
Eastern Europe. We are pleased with the progress reached since
the signing of the NATOUkraine Charter in Madrid, and will
continue to strengthen our distinctive partnership. We continue
to support Ukrainian sovereignty and independence, territorial
integrity, democratic development, economic prosperity and Ukraine's
status as a nonnuclear weapons state as key factors of stability
and security in Europe. We encourage Ukraine to carry forward
its democratic and economic transformation, including its defence
reform, and reaffirm NATO's support for Ukraine's efforts to this
end. We applaud the progress made in the Joint Working Group on
Defence Reform. We welcome the establishment of a NATO Liaison
Office in Kyiv to further enhance Ukraine's role as a distinctive
Partner. We also look forward to today's inaugural Summit meeting
of the NATOUkraine Commission.
29.The Mediterranean Dialogue is an integral part
of the Alliance's cooperative approach to security since
security in the whole of Europe is closely linked to security
and stability in the Mediterranean. We are pleased with the development
of our Mediterranean Dialogue. The Dialogue is progressive in
nature and we welcome the progress towards developing broader
and deeper cooperation and dialogue with the countries in
the Mediterranean region. We endorse the enhancements to the political
and practical cooperation of the Mediterranean Dialogue
agreed by the Council in Permanent Session and direct it to pursue
their early implementation. We encourage Allied nations and Mediterranean
Dialogue countries to organise events such as the Rome Conference
in 1997 and the Valencia Conference in 1999 as positive steps
to strengthen mutual regional understanding. We look forward to
further opportunities to strengthen cooperation in areas
where NATO can add value, particularly in the military field,
and where Dialogue countries have expressed interest. The Dialogue
and other international efforts, including the EU Barcelona process,
are complementary and mutually reinforcing and thus contribute
to transparency and building confidence in the region.
30.The proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical
(NBC) weapons and their means of delivery can pose a direct military
threat to Allies' populations, territory, and forces and therefore
continues to be a matter of serious concern for the Alliance.
The principal nonproliferation goal of the Alliance and
its members is to prevent proliferation from occurring, or, should
it occur, to reverse it through diplomatic means. We reiterate
our full support for the international nonproliferation
regimes and their strengthening. We recognise progress made in
this regard. In order to respond to the risks to Alliance security
posed by the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their
delivery means, we have launched an Initiative that builds upon
work since the Brussels Summit to improve overall Alliance political
and military efforts in this area.
31.The WMD Initiative will: ensure a more vigorous,
structured debate at NATO leading to strengthened common understanding
among Allies on WMD issues and how to respond to them; improve
the quality and quantity of intelligence and informationsharing
among Allies on proliferation issues; support the development
of a public information strategy by Allies to increase awareness
of proliferation issues and Allies' efforts to support nonproliferation
efforts; enhance existing Allied programmes which increase military
readiness to operate in a WMD environment and to counter WMD threats;
strengthen the process of information exchange about Allies' national
programmes of bilateral WMD destruction and assistance; enhance
the possibilities for Allies to assist one another in the protection
of their civil populations against WMD risks; and create a WMD
Centre within the International Staff at NATO to support these
efforts. The WMD initiative will integrate political and military
aspects of Alliance work in responding to proliferation.
32.Arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation
will continue to play a major role in the achievement of the Alliance's
security objectives. NATO has a longstanding commitment
in this area. Allied forces, both conventional and nuclear, have
been significantly reduced since the end of the Cold War as part
of the changed security environment. All Allies are States Parties
to the central treaties related to disarmament and nonproliferation
of weapons of mass destruction, the Nuclear NonProliferation
Treaty, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and the Chemical
Weapons Convention, and are committed to the full implementation
of these treaties. NATO is a defensive Alliance seeking to enhance
security and stability at the minimum level of forces consistent
with the requirements for the full range of Alliance missions.
As part of its broad approach to security, NATO actively supports
arms control and disarmament, both conventional and nuclear, and
pursues its approach against the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and their delivery means. In the light of overall
strategic developments and the reduced salience of nuclear weapons,
the Alliance will consider options for confidence and security
building measures, verification, nonproliferation and arms
control and disarmament. The Council in Permanent Session will
propose a process to Ministers in December for considering such
options. The responsible NATO bodies would accomplish this. We
support deepening consultations with Russia in these and other
areas in the Permanent Joint Council as well as with Ukraine in
the NATOUkraine Commission and with other Partners in the
EAPC.
33.The CFE Treaty is a cornerstone of European security.
We reaffirm our commitment to the successful adaptation of the
Treaty reflecting the new security environment and paving the
way to greater conventional security and stability in Europe.
In the course of the negotiations so far, Members of the Alliance
have already declared their intention to undertake reductions
in their equipment entitlements or holdings, and we strongly encourage
others to follow suit with similar substantial reductions. In
this context, we are pleased that agreement has been reached by
CFE States Parties in Vienna in March 1999 on the key outstanding
issues, permitting drafting work to proceed without delay. Allies
will do their utmost to complete an adapted Treaty for signature
by the time of the OSCE Istanbul Summit in November 1999. Until
the adaptation process is completed, the continued full implementation
of the existing Treaty and its associated documents will remain
crucial.
34.We call on Russia to ratify the START II Treaty
without delay. This would pave the way for considerable reductions
of nuclear arsenals and would allow negotiations on a START III
Treaty aiming at further farreaching reductions. We remain
committed to an early entry into force of the Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty, and call upon all countries to accede to and implement
the Treaty in due course. We support the early commencement of
negotiations on a Fissile Material CutOff Treaty.
35.We are determined to achieve progress on a legally
binding protocol including effective verification measures to
enhance compliance and promote transparency that strengthens the
implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
We reemphasise the importance of universal adherence to,
and effective implementation of, the Chemical Weapons Convention.
We support demining efforts in Bosnia, the development of
practical initiatives under the auspices of the EAPC, and
for signatories activities to meet obligations under the
Ottawa Convention.
36.We call on Belarus, Russia and Ukraine to ratify
the Open Skies Treaty without delay.
37.We will seek to intensify on a mutually reinforcing
basis the Alliance's contacts and cooperation with other
international organisations with a role to play in consolidating
democracy and preserving peace in the EuroAtlantic area.
38.As stated in the Washington Treaty, we recognise
the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council
for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Alliance
and the UN have worked together effectively in implementing the
Peace Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We look forward to
developing further contact and exchanges of information with the
United Nations, in the context of cooperation in conflict
prevention, crisis management, crisis response operations, including
peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance. In the crisis in Kosovo,
the Alliance is using its civil and military capabilities to work
with the UNHCR, the lead agency in the field of refugee relief,
and other relevant international organisations, in providing humanitarian
assistance and refugee relief. The Alliance will consider on a
casebycase basis future cooperation of this
kind.
39.Cooperation and coordination between
the Alliance and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation
in Europe has expanded considerably in the light of the support
we have provided to the OSCEled Kosovo Verification Missions.
We hope to make use of these important bridges between our two
organisations to work together in conflict prevention, peacekeeping,
crisis management and postconflict rehabilitation, in the
spirit of the OSCE's Common Concept for the Development of Cooperation
between Mutually Reinforcing Institutions. We continue to support
the efforts of the OSCE to develop a DocumentCharter on
European Security, worthy of adoption at the OSCE Istanbul Summit
in November 1999.
40.The Alliance and the European Union share common
strategic interests. Our respective efforts in building peace
in the former Yugoslavia are complementary. Both organisations
make decisive contributions to peace and stability on the European
continent. Cooperation between the two organisations on
topics of common concern, to be decided on a casebycase
basis, could be developed when it enhances the effectiveness of
action by NATO and the EU.
41.The Alliance, in order to adapt its structures
to better prepare it to meet future challenges, launched a comprehensive
programme including the continuing adaptation of NATO's command
structure. Accordingly, Allies welcome the activation decision
of the implementation phase of the Alliance's new command structure.
This will ensure NATO's ability to carry out the whole range of
its missions more effectively and flexibly; support an enlarged
Alliance and our more operational relationship with Partners;
and provide, as part of the development of the ESDI within NATO,
for European command arrangements able to prepare, support, command
and conduct WEUled operations. After successful trials,
we have embarked on the full implementation of the CJTF concept,
giving us an important new tool for crisis management in the next
century. Allies also welcome the full integration of Spain into
NATO's military structure from January this year, another significant
milestone for the Alliance.
42.Terrorism constitutes a serious threat to peace,
security and stability that can threaten the territorial integrity
of States. We reiterate our condemnation of terrorism and reaffirm
our determination to combat it in accordance with our international
commitments and national legislation. The terrorist threat against
deployed NATO forces and NATO installations requires the consideration
and development of appropriate measures for their continued protection,
taking full account of host nation responsibilities.
43.NATO Heads of State and Government believe that
a key to the future success of the North Atlantic Alliance is
the efficient production and availability of advanced weapons
and technology in support of security for all its members. We
also believe that viable defence industries on both sides of the
Atlantic are critical to the efficient functioning of NATO military
forces. To that end, we welcome continued transatlantic defence
industrial cooperation to help ensure interoperability,
economies of scale, competition and innovation. We will seek to
ensure that NATO's armament activities meet the Alliance's evolving
military needs.
44.We welcome the presence in Washington of the President
and other representatives of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NPA).
The NPA plays a significant role in complementing NATO's efforts
to project stability throughout Europe. We therefore attach great
importance to enhancing our relations with the NPA in areas of
common concern. We also appreciate the contribution made by the
Atlantic Treaty Association in promoting better understanding
of the Alliance and its objectives among our publics.
45.We express our deep appreciation for the gracious
hospitality extended to us by the Government of the United States
on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the North Atlantic
Treaty.
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