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NATO Summit in Istanbul, Selected Documents, June 28-29,
2004
Istanbul Summit Communiqué Issued by
the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of
the North Atlantic Council, NATO Press Release (2004)096, June 28,
2004
- We, the Heads of State and Government of the member countries
of the North Atlantic Alliance, reaffirmed today the enduring value
of the transatlantic link and of NATO as the basis for our
collective defence and the essential forum for security
consultation between Europe and North America. Our 26 nations are
united in democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law, and
faithful to the purposes and principles of the United Nations
Charter. Inspired by the common vision embodied in the Washington
Treaty, we remain fully committed to the collective defence of our
populations, territory and forces. Transatlantic cooperation is
essential in defending our values and meeting common threats and
challenges, from wherever they may come.
- At our last Summit, in Prague in 2002, we agreed to transform
our Alliance with new members, new capabilities, and new
relationships with our partners. Just a few months ago, seven new
member countries â€" Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia -- joined our Alliance in
the most robust round of enlargement in NATO's history. 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
organisation. Our Alliance is taking on a full range of missions,
promoting stability where it is needed to defend our security and
our values.
- Today, we have:
- 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;
- agreed to conclude the Alliance's successful SFOR operation in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and welcomed the readiness of the European
Union to deploy a new and distinct UN-mandated Chapter VII mission
in the country, based on the Berlin+ arrangements agreed between
our two organisations;
- confirmed that a robust KFOR presence remains essential to
further enhance security and promote the political process in
Kosovo;
- decided to enhance the contribution of Operation Active
Endeavour, our maritime operation in the Mediterranean, to the
fight against terrorism;
- decided to offer assistance to the Government of Iraq with the
training of its security forces, in conformity with the separate
statement that we have issued on Iraq;
- agreed on an enhanced set of measures to strengthen our
individual and collective contribution to the international
community's fight against terrorism;
- decided to further the transformation of our military
capabilities to make them more modern, more usable and more
deployable to carry out the full range of Alliance missions;
- reaffirmed that NATO's door remains open to new members, and
encouraged Albania, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia to continue the reforms necessary to progress towards
NATO membership;
- taken a number of steps to further strengthen the Euro-Atlantic
Partnership, in particular through a special focus on engaging with
our Partners in the strategically important regions of the Caucasus
and Central Asia; and
- decided to enhance our Mediterranean Dialogue and to offer
cooperation to the broader Middle East region through the
“Istanbul Cooperation
Initiative�.
- 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 neighbours. 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.
- 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, as appropriate. The successful
conduct of nation-wide elections will be a crucial milestone in the
democratic development and peaceful evolution of Afghanistan. In
response to President Karzai's request, ISAF is currently
supporting the voter registration process and will provide enhanced
support to the Afghan authorities in providing security during the
election period, within means and capabilities. After the election,
it will be for the government of Afghanistan to develop a
forward-looking plan that fulfils the vision of the Bonn Agreement
to promote national reconciliation, lasting peace, stability, and
respect for human rights. ISAF has been assisting in disarming the
militias and securing weapons. The Bonn process is on track and
legitimate political institutions are developing. Reconstruction
projects, security sector reform and other initiatives are
improving the daily lives of many citizens. We strongly condemn the
increasing attacks on civilian aid workers, who are making a
valuable contribution to Afghanistan's future.
- We call on the Afghan authorities to energetically pursue the
disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process, and
particularly the withdrawal of military units from Kabul and other
urban centres. We will provide appropriate support, within ISAF's
mandate, to the Afghan authorities in taking resolute action
against the production and trafficking of narcotics. We are
prepared to help the Afghan government to build a better future for
Afghanistan, together with Operation Enduring Freedom, the UN
Assistance Mission to Afghanistan, the European Union, and other
international organisations on the ground. We also call on
Afghanistan's neighbours to contribute to this effort consistent
with the wishes of the Afghan authorities. We commend the role of
Canada in ISAF and look forward to the future role of the
Eurocorps.
- The security environment in the strategically important region
of the Balkans is stable but remains fragile. The Alliance remains
committed to peace and stability in the Balkans, and the
territorial integrity and sovereignty of all the countries in the
region. 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. All the
countries of the region must assume ownership of, and implement,
pressing reforms. Closer cooperation in their own region will help
to promote stability and prosperity. While welcoming improvement in
cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former
Yugoslavia (ICTY), where it has occurred, we stress that all
countries concerned must cooperate fully with the ICTY, in
particular bringing to justice all those who are indicted by the
Tribunal, notably Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, as well as
Ante Gotovina, in accordance with United Nations Security Council
Resolutions 1503 and 1534.
- 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. We welcome the readiness of
the European Union to deploy a new and distinct UN-mandated robust
Chapter VII mission in the country, based on the Berlin+
arrangements agreed between our two organisations, and look forward
to continued close cooperation. NATO's long-term political
commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina remains unchanged and the
establishment of a NATO headquarters will constitute NATO's
residual military presence in the country. NATO HQ Sarajevo, which
has the principal task of providing advice on defence reform, will
also undertake certain operational supporting tasks, such as
counter-terrorism whilst ensuring force protection; supporting the
ICTY, within means and capabilities, with regard to the detention
of persons indicted for war crimes; and intelligence sharing with
the EU. The Dayton/Paris Accords remain in force as the basis for
peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- In Kosovo, a robust KFOR presence remains essential to further
enhance security and promote the political process. We reaffirm our
commitment to a secure, stable and multi-ethnic Kosovo, on the
basis of full implementation of United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1244, the agreed Standards before Status Policy and the
Standards Review Mechanism. We strongly condemn the outbreak of
violence resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of
religious and cultural heritage sites in March 2004, and will not
tolerate any such actions intended to undermine the political
process. We call on all parties to speed up the reconstruction and
to create conditions for the safe return of displaced persons. We
urge all communities to work constructively towards meeting the
internationally endorsed standards, to engage in dialogue at all
levels, and to participate in local civic institutions. We also
call on them to conduct, and participate in, the upcoming October
elections in a fair and peaceful manner. We welcome the appointment
by the UN Secretary General of Mr. Søren
Jessen-Petersen as his Special Representative in Kosovo. To further
progress, NATO will continue to work with the UN, the EU, the OSCE
and other international organisations, as well as the Contact
Group, including, as appropriate, attendance at its meetings.
- NATO's maritime surveillance and escort operation, Operation
Active Endeavour, 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. Work is underway to
further enhance its contribution to the fight against terrorism,
including through the contributory support of partner countries,
including the Mediterranean Dialogue countries. We welcome the
offers of contributory support by Russia and Ukraine and have
invited both countries to discuss the modalities of their
participation. All such offers of support, including by other
interested countries, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
In reviewing Operation Active Endeavour'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.
- We pay tribute to the men and women of all nations serving in
NATO-led operations for their professionalism and dedication to the
cause of peace and security. We appreciate how much the success of
our operations depends on the bonds they build with the governments
and peoples in the various theatres of operation. We are profoundly
grateful for the sacrifice of those who have lost their lives or
been injured in the course of their mission, and extend our deepest
sympathies to their families and loved ones.
- 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 strongly condemn terrorism, whatever its motivations or
manifestations, and will fight it together as long as necessary.
The Alliance provides an essential transatlantic dimension to the
response against terrorism, which requires the closest possible
cooperation of North America and Europe. We are committed to
continue our struggle against terrorism in all its forms, in
accordance with international law provisions and UN principles. Our
approach to terrorism, and its causes, will include the full
implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373
on the fight against terrorism, and will continue to be
multi-faceted and comprehensive, including political, diplomatic,
economic and, where necessary, military means. 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. Defence against terrorism may include
activities by NATO's military forces, based on decisions by the
North Atlantic Council, to deter, disrupt, defend and protect
against terrorist attacks, or threat of attacks, directed from
abroad, against populations, territory, infrastructure and forces
of any member state, including by acting against these terrorists
and those who harbour 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, including the need to prevent WMD from being
acquired by terrorists. 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 in protecting against and dealing with the consequences
of terrorist attacks, including attacks involving chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons and, in this
regard, continued robust support for the NATO Multinational CBRN
Defence Battalion;
- assistance to protect selected major events, including with
NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft;
- an enhanced contribution to the fight against terrorism by
Operation Active Endeavour;
- a continued robust effort through our operations in the Balkans
and Afghanistan to help create conditions in which terrorism cannot
flourish;
- enhanced capabilities to defend against terrorist attacks,
including through our programme of work to develop new, advanced
technologies; and
- increased cooperation with our partners, including through the
implementation of our Civil Emergency Action Plan and the
Partnership Action Plan on Terrorism, and with other international
and regional organisations, including the active pursuit of
consultations and exchange of information with the European
Union.
- 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. In this regard, early admission of all NATO members into
all appropriate existing non-proliferation regimes would play a
positive role. Today, we:
- underline our commitment to reinforcing the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty, the cornerstone of non-proliferation and
disarmament, and ensuring the full compliance with it by all states
Party to the Treaty;
- underline the importance of related other international
accords, including the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, the
Chemical Weapons Convention and the Hague Code of Conduct against
the Proliferation of Ballistic Missiles;
- strongly support United Nations Security Council Resolution
1540, calling on all states to establish effective national export
controls, to adopt and enforce laws to criminalise proliferation,
to take cooperative action to prevent non-state actors from
acquiring WMD, and to end illicit trafficking in WMD and related
materials;
- resolve to strengthen our common efforts to reduce and
safeguard nuclear and radiological material;
- resolve to prevent and contain proliferation of WMD and their
means of delivery, and to work together to achieve these
objectives;
- welcome the adoption by the G-8 of its Action Plan on
Non-Proliferation adopted on 10 June; and
- welcome the discovery and ongoing investigation of the A.Q.
Khan proliferation network.
- The Alliance underscores its strong support for the aims of the
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and its Statement of
Interdiction Principles to establish a more co-ordinated and
effective basis through which to impede and stop shipments of WMD,
delivery systems, and related materials flowing to and from states
and non-state actors of proliferation concern. The Alliance
welcomes PSI efforts which are consistent with national legal
authorities and relevant international law and frameworks,
including United Nations Security Council Resolutions. We call on
our partners and other countries to join us in supporting and
implementing the objectives of the PSI.
- The Alliance welcomes the steps taken by Libya to implement its
decision, announced on 19 December 2003, to dismantle its WMD
programmes under international supervision, and to limit its
missiles to a range less than 300 kilometres. We look forward to
continued progress. At the same time, we urge Libya to respect
fundamental human rights.
- We reiterate our commitment to the CFE Treaty as a cornerstone
of European security, and reaffirm our attachment to the early
entry into force of the Adapted Treaty. We recall that fulfilment
of the remaining Istanbul commitments on the Republic of Georgia
and the Republic of Moldova will create the conditions for Allies
and other States Parties to move forward on ratification of the
Adapted CFE Treaty. We note the progress that was made in 2003 on
withdrawal of Russian military forces from the Republic of Moldova.
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. It is essential that efforts be
intensified to complete the withdrawal as soon as possible. We will
continue, via the OSCE, to monitor and assist in this process. We
urge a swift resolution of the outstanding issues between Georgia
and Russia as set out in their Istanbul Joint Statement of 17
November 1999, and to this end, call upon the parties to resume
negotiations at an appropriately senior level. We welcome the
approach of non-CFE Allies who have stated their intention to
request accession to the Adapted CFE Treaty upon its entry into
force. Their accession would provide an important additional
contribution to European security and stability.
- We welcome the progress made in the transformation of the
Alliance's military capabilities. This is a long-term endeavour
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 and the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction. NATO must be able to field forces that can move
quickly to sustain operations over distance and time.
- In realising the goals we set at the Prague Summit in November
2002:
- the NATO Multinational CBRN Defence Battalion has just become
fully operational;
- as planned, the operationally flexible NATO Response Force
(NRF) will reach initial operational capability later this
year;
- the implementation of NATO's streamlined command arrangements
is on track, including the establishment of Allied Command
Transformation;
- the implementation of national Prague Capabilities Commitments
(PCC) is progressing, and multinational activities â€"
in strategic sealift and airlift, air-to-air refuelling, and the
Alliance Ground Surveillance system â€" continue to make
progress and will enhance our military capabilities in many areas;
and
- we are examining options for addressing the increasing missile
threat to Alliance territory, forces and population centres through
an appropriate mix of political and defence efforts, along with
deterrence. We note the initiation of the feasibility study on
missile defence decided at Prague to examine options, and we
continue to assess the missile threats.
- In order to meet today's challenges, we need the right
capabilities. In some cases nations could free up resources from no
longer needed national force structures and/or capabilities and
reinvest them in deployable capabilities. We need greater
willingness and preparedness of nations to provide these forces and
capabilities. NATO needs to be able to act quickly and is
configured to do so. At the same time, we are determined to further
enhance our political decision-making process through in-depth
consultations facilitating a common sense of purpose and resolve,
the definition of clear strategies and objectives before launching
an operation, as well as enhanced planning to support nations'
contributions to operations â€" recognising the
sovereign right of each of our nations to decide upon the use of
its forces.
- In order to enhance our ability to conduct operations
successfully and strengthen the link between political agreement to
commence operations and the provision of the necessary forces, we
have today:
- welcomed the commitments made by the seven new Allies in the
framework of the Prague Capabilities Commitment, and reaffirmed our
support for it; we welcomed the cooperation between PCC and
European Capabilities Action Plan groups; we will give special
emphasis in our national plans to overcoming remaining critical
shortages, implementing our national commitments, further advancing
the multinational cooperation projects in which our countries
participate, and making our capabilities interoperable and adapting
them to the evolving security environment;
- welcomed the report from our Defence Ministers on further steps
to increase the usability of our forces through the adoption in
Istanbul of high-level political targets and to supplement such
targets through individual national usability targets, and agreed
to intensify our efforts, taking account of national priorities and
obligations, to structure, prepare and equip land forces for
deployed operations under NATO or other auspices;
- welcomed changes to the Alliance's planning processes, making
them more responsive to current and future operational
requirements. We have directed the Council in Permanent Session to
produce for our consideration comprehensive political guidance in
support of the Strategic Concept for all Alliance capabilities
issues, planning disciplines and intelligence, responsive to the
Alliance's requirements, including for forces which are
interoperable and deployable, able to carry out major operations as
well as smaller ones, to conduct them concurrently if necessary, as
well as to operate jointly in a complex security environment. The
interfaces between the respective Alliance planning disciplines,
including operational planning, should be further analysed;
- welcomed progress in the work to improve the force generation
process for NATO-agreed operations and the NATO Response Force,
including by moving towards a longer-term and more comprehensive
and pro-active approach, and facilitating decisions that are
matched at each stage with the requisite military capabilities;
and
- directed that work on theatre ballistic missile defence be
taken forward expeditiously. In this context we noted the approval
of the principle of the establishment of a NATO Active Layered
Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence programme; welcomed the
willingness of nations to make the tri-national Extended Air
Defence Task Force available to the Alliance; and noted ongoing
work by the NATO Military Authorities in relation to the defence of
deployed NATO forces, including the NRF, against theatre ballistic
missiles.
- With the decisions taken here in Istanbul and the further
improvements we have put in train and which we have directed the
Council in Permanent Session to pursue, we are ensuring that Allied
capabilities will be modern, efficient and flexible, fully
appropriate to the challenges we face now and may face in the
future.
- We have invited the Secretary General and the Council in
Permanent Session to take the steps necessary to ensure that the
transformation process, including on questions of management and
funding, is fully implemented. We look forward to the outcome of
the NATO Agencies Review which should provide a sound basis for the
next decade of support activity. We encourage the Secretary General
to carry forward the new NATO Headquarters project in a timely and
effective way.
- NATO's armament activities must meet the Alliance's evolving
military needs. We therefore reaffirm the importance we attach to
mutually advantageous transatlantic defence industrial
cooperation.
- We celebrate the success of NATO's Open Door policy, and
reaffirm today that our seven new members will not be the last. The
door to membership remains open. We welcome the progress made by
Albania, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) in implementing their Annual National
Programmes under the Membership Action Plan, and encourage them to
continue pursuing the reforms necessary to progress towards NATO
membership. We also commend their contribution to regional
stability and cooperation. We want all three countries to succeed
and will continue to assist them in their reform efforts. NATO will
continue to assess each country's candidacy individually, based on
the progress made towards reform goals pursued through the
Membership Action Plan, which will remain the vehicle to keep the
readiness of each aspirant for membership under review. 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 at the next Summit progress
by aspirants towards membership based on that report.
- The recent enlargements of NATO and the European Union are a
major step towards a Europe whole and free, and a strong
confirmation that our organisations share common values and
strategic interests. We are pleased with the progress made in
developing the NATO-EU strategic partnership on the basis of and
since the conclusion of the Berlin+ arrangements. NATO and the EU
continue to cooperate effectively in the Western Balkans, and are
committed to assist the countries of the region in their further
integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. NATO-EU relations now
cover a wide range of issues of common interest relating to
security, defence and crisis management, including the fight
against terrorism, the development of coherent and mutually
reinforcing military capabilities, and civil emergency planning. We
are determined to work together to further develop the NATO-EU
strategic partnership as agreed by our two organisations, in a
spirit of transparency, and respecting the autonomy of our two
organisations.
- Building on the progress made since our Prague Summit, we have
today taken a number of steps to further strengthen the
Euro-Atlantic Partnership. While taking these steps, we expect all
Partners to fulfil their commitments to the protection and
promotion of human rights and the other fundamental freedoms and
values they have adhered to under the Euro-Atlantic Partnership
Council and the Partnership for Peace. We support the independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the
Euro-Atlantic area.
- We have launched today a Partnership Action Plan on Defence
Institution Building. We encourage and support Partners to make
full use of this new instrument to build democratically responsible
defence institutions.
- Military interoperability and transformation are central to the
effectiveness of our Partnerships in helping us to meet evolving
security challenges and to enable Allied and Partner forces to
operate effectively in NATO-led operations. The value of this
cooperation to the Alliance, in particular by the Western European
Partners, is continuously being demonstrated in the Balkans as well
as in Afghanistan. We intend, therefore, to provide our Partners
with increased opportunities to enhance their contributions to
NATO-led operations, and to help transform their defences in
keeping with NATO's own evolving operational roles and
capabilities, including through enhancement of the Operational
Capabilities Concept. We will seek the earliest possible
involvement by troop-contributing nations in the decision-shaping
process, including the possibility of political consultation.
NATO's new command structure offers opportunities to increase the
participation by Partners, including by offering them appropriate
representation in the Allied Command Transformation.
- NATO has adopted a comprehensive policy to contribute to
international efforts to combat the trafficking in human beings,
which constitutes a flagrant abuse of human rights and fuels
corruption and organised crime. We are also determined to work
together with our Partners to support international efforts, where
NATO can add value, to combat this and other forms of illegal
trafficking.
- In enhancing the Euro-Atlantic Partnership, we will put special
focus on engaging with our Partners in the strategically important
regions of the Caucasus and Central Asia. Towards that end, NATO
has agreed on improved liaison arrangements, including the
assignment of two liaison officers, as well as a special
representative for the two regions from within the International
Staff. We welcome the decision by Georgia, Azerbaijan and
Uzbekistan to develop Individual Partnership Action Plans with
NATO. This constitutes a significant step in these countries'
efforts to develop closer Partnership relations with the Alliance.
We welcome the commitment of the new government of Georgia to
reform.
- We remain committed to partnership with the Republic of Moldova
and encourage it to make use of Partnership instruments to take
forward its aspirations of promoting stability in the region as a
Partner of this Alliance.
- We look forward to welcoming Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia
and Montenegro into the Partnership for Peace once they have met
the established NATO conditions. We want them to succeed in joining
the Euro-Atlantic partnership and will assist them in this
endeavour. We are prepared to assist the countries by including
them in selected PfP activities. Each country will be judged on its
own merits on the road to PfP.
- We welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina's significant progress in
defence reform, a key condition for PfP membership. We urge
continued progress towards achieving a single military force. We
have agreed to designate a Contact Point Embassy in Sarajevo to
increase understanding of NATO. We are concerned that Bosnia and
Herzegovina, particularly obstructionist elements in the Republika
Srpska entity, has failed to live up to its obligation to cooperate
fully with ICTY, including the arrest and transfer to the
jurisdiction of the Tribunal of war crimes indictees, a fundamental
requirement for the country to join PfP. We also look for systemic
changes necessary to develop effective security and law enforcement
structures.
- Serbia and Montenegro has also shown progress in defence
reform, and the government has played a constructive regional role,
improving relations with its neighbours. We look forward to further
progress in these areas, in particular in relation to the
government's engagement on Kosovo-related issues. At the same time,
the International Court of Justice cases against several of the
Allies still stand. We call on the government to fulfil its
international obligations, in particular to cooperate with ICTY and
render all necessary assistance to secure the arrest and transfer
to the jurisdiction of the Tribunal of war crimes indictees.
- From its inception in 1994, NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue has
greatly contributed to building confidence and cooperation between
the Alliance and its Mediterranean partners. In the current
security environment there are greater opportunities for effective
cooperation with Mediterranean Dialogue partners. Following our
decision at Prague to upgrade the Mediterranean Dialogue, we are
today inviting our Mediterranean partners to establish a more
ambitious and expanded partnership, guided by the principle of
joint ownership and taking into consideration their particular
interests and needs. The overall aim of this partnership will be to
contribute towards regional security and stability through stronger
practical cooperation, including by enhancing the existing
political dialogue, achieving interoperability, developing defence
reform and contributing to the fight against terrorism. Our efforts
will complement and mutually reinforce other Mediterranean
initiatives, including those of the EU and the OSCE.
- 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 defence and security fields.
This initiative is distinct from, yet takes into account and
complements, other initiatives involving other international
actors.
- While respecting the specificity of the Mediterranean Dialogue,
the enhanced Mediterranean Dialogue and the
“Istanbul Cooperation Initiative�
are complementary, progressive and individualised 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.
- Since its creation two years ago, the NATO-Russia Council has
raised the quality of the relationship between the Alliance and
Russia to a new level, to the benefit of the entire Euro-Atlantic
area. We reaffirm our determination to broaden our political
dialogue and are committed to deepening our consultations on key
security issues, including Afghanistan and the Balkans, and the
fight against terrorism and against the proliferation of Weapons of
Mass Destruction and their means of delivery. Our practical
cooperation has progressed further, including in
military-to-military projects. Through our efforts to improve
interoperability, we have also laid the groundwork for future
operational support to NATO forces, including for potential joint
peacekeeping operations. We welcome the progress made in advancing
practical cooperation on theatre missile defence, civil emergency
planning, the Cooperative Airspace Initiative, and search and
rescue at sea. 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 welcome Ukraine's determination to pursue full Euro-Atlantic
integration. In this context, we reaffirm the necessity to achieve
consistent and measurable progress in democratic reform. We
encourage Ukraine to accelerate the implementation of the
objectives outlined in the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan, particularly
regarding the conduct of free and fair elections, the guaranteeing
of media freedoms, and implementation of the results of the Defence
Review. We are determined to support Ukraine in these efforts,
while noting that a further strengthening of our relationship will
require stronger evidence of Ukraine's commitment to comprehensive
reform, in particular with a view to the conduct of presidential
elections this autumn. We welcome Ukraine's continued participation
in KFOR within the Polish-Ukrainian Battalion. We note the progress
made by Ukraine in defence reform and in strengthening defence and
military cooperation with NATO, including in the area of host
nation support and strategic airlift. With this understanding, we
instruct the Council in Permanent Session to assess NATO-Ukraine
relations, with a view to presenting recommendations to Foreign
Ministers after the presidential elections.
- We note the importance of the Black Sea region for
Euro-Atlantic security. Littoral countries, Allies and Partners are
working together to contribute to further strengthening security
and stability in the area. Our Alliance is prepared to explore
means to complement these efforts, building upon existing forms of
regional cooperation.
- We welcome the interest shown by several countries who are
developing individual, mutually beneficial dialogues on security
matters with NATO as contact countries. In this context, we welcome
the interest shown by Australia in closer cooperation with our
Alliance.
- NATO and the OSCE have largely complementary responsibilities
and common interests, both functionally and geographically. NATO
will continue to further develop the cooperation with the OSCE in
areas such as conflict prevention, crisis management and
post-conflict rehabilitation.
- We welcome the role of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in
complementing NATO's efforts to promote stability throughout
Europe. We also appreciate the contribution made by the Atlantic
Treaty Association in promoting better understanding of the
Alliance and its objectives among our publics.
- 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 organisations in a truly multilateral effort to
address common security concerns. While NATO's transformation
continues, its fundamental purpose â€" based on the
common values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law
â€" 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.
- We express our deep appreciation for the gracious hospitality
extended to us by the Government of Turkey and the city of
Istanbul. Here in Istanbul, a city that bridges two continents, we
have reaffirmed the vital transatlantic link, and extended new
offers of cooperation to countries and to regions of strategic
importance.
Source: NATO, http://www.nato.int.
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Statement on Iraq Issued by the Heads of State
and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic
Council in Istanbul on 28 June 2004, NATO Press Release (2004)098,
June 28, 2004
We, the 26 Heads of State and Government of the nations of the
Atlantic Alliance, meeting in Istanbul, declare our full support
for the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity
of the Republic of Iraq and for strengthening of freedom,
democracy, human rights, rule of law and security for all the Iraqi
people.
We welcome the unanimous adoption of Security Council Resolution
1546 under Chapter 7 of the Charter of the United Nations as an
important step towards Iraq's political transition to democratic
government. We pledge our full support for the effective
implementation of UNSCR 1546.
We are united in our support for the Iraqi people and offer full
cooperation to the new sovereign Interim Government as it seeks to
strengthen internal security and prepare the way to national
elections in 2005.
We deplore and call for an immediate end to all terrorist
attacks in Iraq. Terrorist activities in and from Iraq also
threaten the security of its neighbours and the region as a
whole.
We continue to support Poland in its leadership of the
multinational division in south central Iraq. We also acknowledge
the efforts of nations, including many NATO Allies, in the
Multinational Force for Iraq, which is present in Iraq at the
request of the Iraqi government and in accordance with UNSCR 1546.
We fully support the Multinational Force in its mission to help
restore and maintain security, including protection of the United
Nations presence, under its mandate from the Security Council.
In response to the request of the Iraqi Interim Government, and
in accordance with Resolution 1546 which requests international and
regional organisations to contribute assistance to the
Multinational Force, we have decided today to offer NATO's
assistance to the government of Iraq with the training of its
security forces. We therefore also encourage nations to contribute
to the training of the Iraqi armed forces.
We have asked the North Atlantic Council to develop on an urgent
basis the modalities to implement this decision with the Iraqi
Interim Government.
We have also asked the North Atlantic Council to consider, as a
matter of urgency and on the basis of a report by the Secretary
General, further proposals to support the nascent Iraqi security
institutions in response to the request of the Iraqi Interim
Government and in accordance with UNSCR 1546.
Source: NATO, http://www.nato.int.
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The Istanbul Declaration Our security in a new
era Issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in
the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Istanbul on 28 June
2004, NATO Press Release (2004)097 28 June 2004
We, the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of
the North Atlantic Alliance, meet today in Istanbul to renew our
commitment to collective defence, and to address together NATO's
response to the security challenges we face at the beginning of the
21st century.
NATO embodies the vital partnership between Europe and North
America. Our Alliance is founded on the principles of democracy,
individual liberty, and the rule of law. Those values, rooted in
the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Washington
Treaty, underlie the unique character of the transatlantic
link.
We celebrate NATO's critical role in fostering the spread of
freedom throughout Europe. Today, we welcome seven new members.
Their participation in this Summit demonstrates that we remain
committed to a Europe whole, free and at peace. We pledge again
that our Alliance remains open to all European democracies,
regardless of geography, willing and able to meet the
responsibilities of membership, and whose inclusion would enhance
overall security and stability in Europe.
Collective defence remains the core purpose of the Alliance. But
the threats that NATO faces have changed substantially. We remain
committed to address vigorously the threats facing our Alliance,
taking into account that they emanate from a far wider area than in
the past. They include terrorism and the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction. North America and Europe face these threats
together. NATO is engaged in fighting terrorism, strengthening
security and building stability in many regions in the world. Now
as ever, unity within the Alliance is essential, and the principle
of the indivisibility of Allied security is fundamental. We are
determined to address effectively the threats to our territory,
forces and populations from wherever they may come.
The Alliance is adapting to meet these security challenges
through its military operations and activities, its engagement with
partners and its continued transformation of military
capabilities.
Today, we have approved a major expansion of NATO's role in
Afghanistan in support of the Afghan Authorities. We will commit
the resources needed to make this mission a success.
NATO is also leading military operations in the Balkans and the
Mediterranean, and supporting Poland's leadership of the
Multinational Division in Iraq. We have also issued a separate
statement on Iraq.
The decision to end NATO's nine year mission in Bosnia marks its
success in ending the war and keeping the peace in that country. We
welcome the decision of the European Union to mount a new operation
in Bosnia, and look forward to continued cooperation.
NATO continues to build closer cooperation on common security
concerns with the European Union and with states in Europe,
including Russia, Ukraine and the states of Central Asia and the
Caucasus, as well as with states of the Mediterranean and the
Broader Middle East. Today, we have taken decisions aimed at
strengthening these relationships further in order to cooperate
effectively in addressing the challenges of the 21st century.
NATO is transforming its military capabilities in order to adapt
to the changing strategic environment. The new command structure,
the NATO Response Force, and the Chemical, Biological,
Radiological, Nuclear Deference battalion are progressing.
Together, they give NATO much stronger and faster military
capabilities. But transformation is a process, not an event. We are
therefore committed to continued transformation and to further
strengthen our operational capabilities and procedures so that our
forces are more deployable and usable. To this end, we invite the
Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council in permanent
session to take the steps necessary to ensure that the
transformation process is fully implemented, and to report to us at
the next NATO Summit.
The North Atlantic Alliance has confronted challenge and change
throughout its history, yet has always proved resilient in adapting
to new situations. As we face a new era of danger and hope, NATO
remains our vital multilateral bridge across the Atlantic,
complementing a common political approach with its military
capabilities. We renew our commitment to consult, deliberate and
act together as Allies. We are confident that NATO will remain our
indispensable instrument in defending our freedom and security.
Source: NATO, http://www.nato.int.
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Chairman's Statement, Meeting of the
NATO-Russia Council at the level of Foreign Ministers held in
Istanbul, NATO Press Release, June 28, 2004
On 28 June 2004, Foreign Ministers of the
NATO-Russia Council met in Istanbul. Taking stock of two years of
accomplishments in the NRC framework, they reiterated their
adherence to the goals, principles and commitments contained in the
Founding Act, the Rome Declaration and past NRC decisions, and
their determination to stand together against shared threats.
Ministers reaffirmed their desire to broaden NRC
political dialogue, with a view to promoting common approaches and
possible joint actions. In this context, they exchanged views on
current international security issues, including the situations in
Afghanistan, in the Balkans, and in Iraq, where they welcomed
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546 as paving the way
for long-term stabilisation, and declared their full support for
the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of
Iraq.
Ministers also addressed the concrete, practical
contributions made by the NATO-Russia Council to the security of
the Euro-Atlantic area. In particular:
- They expressed their solidarity in standing against the
terrorist threat and took note of the broad-based co-operation that
has been developed in this area in the NRC framework, in this
context, they also welcomed Russia's offer to participate in
maritime operations in the Mediterranean Sea in the framework of
Operation Active Endeavour, and the decision in principle by the
North Atlantic Council that Russia could provide support to this
operation according to agreed procedures. They further agreed on
the need to intensify efforts to curb the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
- Welcoming the success of the March 2004 Theatre Missile Defence
(TMD) Command Post Exercise in Colorado Springs and noting the
successful conclusion of the first phase of the NRC
Interoperability Study on TMD, they agreed to initiate the second
phase of this flagship NRC project.
- They welcomed the results of the civil emergency planning and
response exercise Kaliningrad 2004, hosted by Russia earlier this
month. They also noted progress achieved in the implementation of
the NRC chemical, biological and radiological protection
capabilities initiative.
- Ministers reviewed progress achieved in enhancing
military-to-military co-operation and the interoperability of NATO
and Russian forces. In this context, they welcomed the recent
establishment of a Russian Military Liaison Branch Office at SHAPE
and the enhancement of the NATO Military Liaison Mission in Moscow.
Ministers also expressed resolve to overcome remaining practical
obstacles to co-operation, in particular to ensure Russia's
accession to the Partnership for Peace Status of Forces Agreement
by the end of 2004.
- They looked forward to the completion of the NRG Cooperative
Airspace Initiative Feasibility Study by the end of 2004.
- Ministers noted the ongoing work of the NATO-Russia nuclear
experts consultations and welcomed the Russian offer to attend a
field demonstration aimed at demonstrating Russian Federation
nuclear weapons incident response procedures.
- They encouraged the Ad Hoc Working Group on Defence Reform to
continue ongoing work on interoperability, with a view to
completing the Political-Military Guidance towards Enhanced
Interoperability between NATO and Russian Forces as a matter of
priority for approval by NRC Defence Ministers. They also welcomed
ongoing efforts to enhance practical work on military-technical
cooperation.
- Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation in
crisis management. In this regard, they noted with satisfaction the
ongoing work on the NATO-Russia Procedural Exercise and agreed to
continue to consider practical ways to address operational,
military and political-military aspects of the Generic Concept of
Joint NATO-Russia Peacekeeping Operations.
Ministers recalled all relevant statements,
reaffirmed the 4 June 2003 Statement of NRC Foreign Ministers in
Madrid, and recalled NATO's position on providing political
assurances of restraint. They also reaffirmed adherence to the
Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) as a
cornerstone of European security. Those NRC members who are States
Parties to the Treaty reaffirmed their determination to fulfil the
commitments reflected in the Final Act of the 1999 Conference of
the States Parties to the CFE Treaty. Calling upon all CFE States
Parties to promote achievement of this shared goal, the NRC agreed
to continue to work co-operatively toward ratification by ail the
States Parties and entry into force of the Agreement on Adaptation
of the CFE Treaty, which would permit accession by non-CFE states.
Ministers welcomed the approach of the four non-CFE member states
who have stated their intention to request accession to the adapted
CFE Treaty upon its entry into force, and agreed that their
accession would provide an important additional contribution to
European stability and security. They reaffirmed their readiness to
pursue work in the field of arms control and confidence-building
measures.
Ministers also highlighted the potential for NRC
cooperation on Afghanistan, in this context, they again welcomed
Russia's offer to provide practical support to the NATO-led
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and
reaffirmed their commitment to further practical cooperation in
this regard. They expressed support for the Afghan Transitional
Authority (ATA) in the implementation of its National Drug Control
Strategy and its defence and security sector reform efforts, as
well as for relevant international efforts aimed at stopping the
cultivation of opium poppies and the production and transit of
narcotics. They agreed that NRC efforts to combat this threat
should add value through practical contributions, and should avoid
duplicating efforts underway in other international fora and
bilaterally, and tasked the NATO-Russia Council in permanent
session with organising a meeting, reinforced by appropriate
national experts, to generate and develop possible concrete
activities and ideas for practical co-operation.
Source: NATO, http://www.nato.int.
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© 2003 The Acronym Institute.
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