ISTANBUL - NATO not only changed its structure in the last 18 months but also it became more determined, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said on Monday.
Addressing the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in Istanbul, de Hoop Scheffer said that this was the first NATO summit following the recent enlargement of the Alliance and welcomed the seven new members.
Scheffer said, ``an Alliance that started out 55 years ago with twelve member nations now has grown to more than twice that number, illustrating the enduring value of the transatlantic link. 26 nations are now determined to defend our values and to pass them on to future generations. 26 Allies are also joined in a commitment to defend each others` security and territorial integrity. Our seven new members have shown consistently that they are ready for this commitment. They, in turn, can count on the solidarity of the other Allies.``
``Throughout its 55-year history, NATO has performed a bridging role as well. And we will reaffirm that role, and enhance it, at our meeting here today. We will reinforce the vital transatlantic link that our Alliance embodies. We will enhance our partnership with countries across Europe and into Central Asia. And we will build new bridges to the Mediterranean and the Middle East,`` Scheffer said.
Scheffer went on saying, ``the logo of our Istanbul Summit depicts a bridge, and this is no coincidence. Through the centuries, Istanbul has been a real bridge - not just between continents, but also between cultures, religions and civilizations.``
``We have a busy agenda for our Summit. It demonstrates just how central NATO has become to ensuring our common security. And it reflects the reality of transatlantic cooperation in NATO today: America and Europe united in a strong Alliance - committed to defend and to promote our common values and shared interests, in the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond,`` Scheffer added.
French President Jacques Chirac said that NATO Istanbul summit was really a turning point while German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said that it was possible to turn Europe into a continent of peace and stability since so many leaders gathered in Istanbul.
Schroeder stated that leaders would try to set a common strategy and policy in Istanbul to fight against terrorism.
On Turkey`s European Union (EU) membership process, Schroeder said that the EU should keep its promises to Turkey since Turkey had met preconditions to start full membership negotiations.
DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST NATO
Police intervened and detained many people who were holding demonstrations in Mecidiyekoy district of Istanbul to protest NATO Summit.
The group unfurled banners and later started sit-in protest and chanted slogans when police surrounded them.
Police called on the group to disperse but the demonstrators refused.
Police later detained some of the demonstrators.
(BRC-AY-ULG) 28.06.2004