Nato Istanbul Summit Communique

WE REAFFIRMED ENDURING VALUE OF TRANSATLANTIC LINK
ISTANBUL - The North Atlantic Council formed by heads of state and government of 26 allied countries reaffirmed today the enduring value of the transatlantic link and of NATO on the first day of the 17th NATO Summit in Istanbul.
Releasing a summit communique, the North Atlantic Council highlighted value of NATO ''as the basis for our collective defense and the essential forum for security consultation between Europe and North America''.
Recalling that ''NATO agreed to transform the Alliance with new members, new capabilities and new relationship'' the summit communique said, ''today at our Istanbul Summit, we have given further shape and direction to this transformation in order to adapt NATO's structures, procedures and capabilities to 21st century challenges. We underscore that these efforts should not be perceived as a threat by any country or organization.''
''We decided to expand the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, including through several more Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and by enhancing our support for the upcoming elections,'' it said.
Noting that it was agreed to conclude the Alliance's successful SFOR operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and welcomed the readiness of the European Union (EU) for a takeover, the summit communique said, ''we confirmed that a robust KFOR presence remains essential to further enhance security and promote the political process in Kosovo.''
''We reaffirmed that NATO's door remains open to new members, and encouraged Albania, Croatia and Macedonia to continue the reforms necessary to progress towards NATO membership,'' it said.
''We decided to enhance our Mediterranean Dialogue and to offer cooperation to the broader Middle East region through the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative,'' it added.
NATO TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROTECTION OF PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN
The North Atlantic Council decided to expand the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, including through several more Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and by enhancing the support for the upcoming elections.
Releasing a summit communique, North Atlantic Council said, ''contributing to peace and stability in Afghanistan is NATO's key priority. NATO's leadership of the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force demonstrates the readiness of the North Atlantic Council to decide to launch operations to ensure our common security. NATO's aim is to assist in the emergence of a secure and stable Afghanistan, with a broad-based, gender sensitive, multi-ethnic and fully representative government, integrated into the international community and cooperating with its neighbors.''
''Establishing and sustaining peace in Afghanistan is essential to the well-being of the Afghan people and to our shared struggle against terrorism. We remain committed to that cause and pledge to contribute to ISAF the forces necessary for successful completion of our mission in Afghanistan,'' it said.
The summit communique said, ''in consultation with the Afghan authorities, we will continue to expand ISAF in stages throughout Afghanistan, through the establishment by lead nations of additional Provincial Reconstruction Teams. We will continue to coordinate and cooperate with Operation Enduring Freedom of the United States, as appropriate. The successful conduct of nation-wide elections will be a crucial milestone in the democratic development and peaceful evolution of Afghanistan.''
Referring to the Balkans, the summit communique said, ''the security environment in the strategically important region of the Balkans is stable but remains fragile. We will remain committed until peace and security are firmly established and the progressive integration of all Balkan countries into Euro-Atlantic structures is achieved.''
The summit communique said, ''as the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina has evolved positively, we have decided to conclude the Alliance's successful SFOR operation by the end of this year. NATO's long-term political commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina remains unchanged.''
''NATO's maritime surveillance and escort operation, Operation Active Endeavor, demonstrates the Alliance's resolve and ability to respond to terrorism. In March of this year, the operation was extended to the whole of the Mediterranean. We welcome the offers of contributory support by Russia and Ukraine and have invited both countries to discuss the modalities of their participation. In reviewing Operation Active Endeavor's mission, NATO may consider addressing, in accordance with international law, the risk of terrorist-related trafficking in, or use of, nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, their means of delivery and related materials,'' it added.
WE WILL FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
The North Atlantic Council said on Monday, ''we strongly condemn terrorism, whatever its motivations or manifestations, and will fight it together as long as necessary.''
Releasing a summit communique, North Atlantic Council said, ''terrorism and the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery currently pose key threats and challenges to Alliance and international security. We are committed to continue our struggle against terrorism in all its forms, in accordance with international law provisions and UN principles.''
''Continuing terrorist acts, including in Istanbul last year and in Madrid in March of this year, have shown the acute threat which terrorism continues to pose around the world. Defense against terrorism may include activities by NATO's military forces, based on decisions by the North Atlantic Council,'' it said, stressing that NATO's activities would include acting against these terrorists and those who harbor them.
''We have accordingly agreed today an enhanced set of measures to strengthen our individual and collective contribution to the international community's fight against terrorism. These measures include improved intelligence sharing between our nations, including through our Terrorist Threat Intelligence Unit and a review of current intelligence structures at NATO Headquarters; a greater ability to respond rapidly to national requests for assistance; assistance to protect selected major events, including with NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft; a continued robust effort through our operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan to help create conditions in which terrorism cannot flourish,'' it said.
The summit communique added, ''the Alliance's policy of support for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation will continue to play a major role in the achievement of the Alliance's security objectives, including preventing the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and their means of delivery. We stress the importance of all states abiding by, and fully implementing, their arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation commitments, and of strengthening existing international arms control and disarmament accords and multilateral non-proliferation and export control regimes.''
NATO'S TRANSFORMATION PROCESS TO CONTINUE
The North Atlantic Council formed by heads of state and government of 26 allied countries said on Monday that NATO's transformation process would continue.
Releasing a summit communique, North Atlantic Council said, ''we welcome the progress made in the transformation of the Alliance's military capabilities. This is a long-term endeavor which must continue if NATO is to be able to perform the full range of its missions in a challenging security environment and respond to its operational commitments and the threats we face today, including terrorism.''
''We reiterate our commitment to the Conventional Forces of Europe (CFE) Treaty as a cornerstone of European security, and reaffirm our attachment to the early entry into force of the Adapted Treaty,'' it said.
Welcoming the progress that was made in 2003 on withdrawal of Russian military forces from the Republic of Moldova, the summit communique said, ''we regret that this progress has not continued in 2004 and that the extended 31 December 2003 completion date, agreed in the framework of the OSCE, was not met. We will continue, via the OSCE, to monitor and assist in this process.''
The summit communique said, ''as planned, the operationally flexible NATO Response Force (NRF) will reach initial operational capability later this year.''
''In order to meet today's challenges, we need the right capabilities. NATO needs to be able to act quickly and is configured to do so. We welcomed changes to the Alliance's planning processes, making them more responsive to current and future operational requirements,'' it said.
The summit communique also said, ''NATO's armament activities must meet the Alliance's evolving military needs. We therefore reaffirm the importance we attach to mutually advantageous transatlantic defense industrial cooperation.''
''The recent enlargements of NATO and the European Union are a major step towards a Europe whole and free. NATO-EU relations now cover a wide range of issues of common interest relating to security, defense and crisis management, including the fight against terrorism, the development of coherent and mutually reinforcing military capabilities, and civil emergency planning,'' it added.
A NEW FORMATION: ''ISTANBUL COOPERATION INITIATIVE''
The North Atlantic Council formed by heads of state and government of 26 allied countries said on Monday, ''While NATO's transformation continues, its fundamental purpose endures: to serve as an essential transatlantic forum for consultation and an effective instrument for Europe and North America to defend peace and stability, now and into the future.''
Releasing a summit communique, North Atlantic Council said, ''today's complex strategic environment demands a broad approach to security, comprising political, economic and military elements. We are united in our commitment to such an approach. The Alliance is conducting challenging operations in regions of strategic importance; transforming its capabilities to meet the new threats; and working ever more closely together with partner countries and other international organizations in a truly multilateral effort to address common security concerns.''
''We have today also decided to offer cooperation to the broader Middle East region by launching our 'Istanbul Cooperation Initiative'. This initiative is offered by NATO to interested countries in the region, starting with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, to foster mutually beneficial bilateral relationships and thus enhance security and stability. The initiative focuses on practical cooperation where NATO can add value, notably in the defense and security fields. This initiative is distinct from, yet takes into account and complements, other initiatives involving other international actors,'' it said.
Referring to the Mediterranean Dialogue, the summit communique said, ''while respecting the specificity of the Mediterranean Dialogue, the enhanced Mediterranean Dialogue and the 'Istanbul Cooperation Initiative' are complementary, progressive and individualized processes. They will be developed in a spirit of joint ownership with the countries involved. Continued consultation and active engagement will be essential to their success.''
Referring to the scheduled meetings of NATO-Russia Council and NATO-Ukraine Commission, the summit communique said that the Alliance would further deepen political dialogue and consultations with these countries.
''We look forward to making further progress in implementing the Rome Declaration of May 2002, working together as equal partners in areas of common interest. We encourage Ukraine to accelerate the implementation of the objectives outlined in the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan,'' it added.

(UK-AÖ) 28.06.2004