ISTANBUL - NATO Summit, which was held in Istanbul, ended on Tuesday.
Leaders, who attended the Summit, brought Afghanistan and Iraq issues onto the agenda. They decided to deploy additional military troops in Afghanistan and accepted the request of Iraqi government for training of its security forces.
Heads of state and government of 26 allied countries and 20 partner countries convened for NATO Istanbul Summit.
NATO leaders have exerted efforts to end ``intransigence atmosphere`` regarding Iraq crisis and they considered that they have reached this aim.
Allies unanimously promised to support new Iraqi government and they shed green light for those who wanted to contribute the training of Iraqi security forces.
Afghanistan has become the main issue that reflected the global dimension and targets of NATO.
The Organization has decided to broaden its responsibility and influence limits in Afghanistan by increasing the number of its soldiers in this country. Thus, it showed that it does not have limits in defense field and fight against terrorism.
Another important development during the Summit was that allies have agreed to bring the SFOR mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina to a successful conclusion by the end of the year and the European Union (EU) shed green light to operations of EUFOR in the beginning of next year. EU authorities, who exerted great efforts to convince allies such as the United States and Turkey about the issue, departed from Istanbul with pleasure and excitement, while Bosnians had great concerns and also were insecure towards the EU. NATO also tried to convey the message that it did not leave Bosnia to the EU.
One of the most important decisions which was taken during the Summit was ``Istanbul Cooperation Initiative``.
NATO, which improved its dialogue with Mediterranean countries, made concrete its call for dialogue with the Middle East and especially the Gulf countries.
``Defense leg`` of the Greater Middle East Initiative, which was brought onto agenda under the leadership of the United States and Britain, has started to be established in Istanbul.
NATO gave priority to joint fight against proliferation of mass destruction weapons and terrorism. Its technical decisions which were taken on the issue in Istanbul have great importance.
Albania, Croatia and Hungary, which wanted to be member of NATO, were only given ``encouragement messages``.
Political wing of the Organization has taken new steps for development of dialogue with Caucasian and Central Asian countries and it appointed special representatives to these regions.
First command transfer under NATO Response Force (NRF) was made in Istanbul and also Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) U.S. General James Jones and Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok conveyed significant messages.
Military representatives stressed the response force, influence and authority field, speed and capabilities of NRF. They also underlined the importance of fight against terrorism for soldiers.
NATO high-ranking officials described the Summit and its results as ``very successful``, ``perfect`` and ``harmonious``.
(GC-AÖ) 29.06.2004