Official NATO Statements Database
This document contains official NATO Statements as from January 2012.
Its purpose is to help all NATO officials to find key references of official NATO
statements once they prepare public interventions. The database does not aim to be
exhaustive and, as such, is a working document, complementing other NATO
background and briefing material.
Summary
Operations ................................................................................................................ 2
Afghanistan ............................................................................................................. 4
Libya ..................................................................................................................... 28
Kosovo.................................................................................................................. 29
Piracy ...................................................................................................................... 32
Missile Defense ...................................................................................................... 33
Nuclear Policy ........................................................................................................ 41
New Strategic Concept .......................................................................................... 41
NATO Transformation ............................................................................................ 42
Smart Defence/New Capabilities ........................................................................... 45
Article 5 ................................................................................................................... 68
New Threats ............................................................................................................ 68
Terrorism .............................................................................................................. 70
Cyber Defence ...................................................................................................... 71
Energy Security .................................................................................................... 73
Climate Change .................................................................................................... 73
Partnerships ........................................................................................................... 73
NATO/Russia ........................................................................................................ 79
NATO/Ukraine ...................................................................................................... 87
NATO/Georgia ...................................................................................................... 89
NATO/Balkans ...................................................................................................... 92
Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) / Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) .................... 95
Comprehensive Approach ..................................................................................... 96
NATO/EU.............................................................................................................. 97
NATO/UN ........................................................................................................... 100
Transatlantic Relations ........................................................................................ 101
Other Issues ......................................................................................................... 105
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Operations
“It was a special honour for me to pay tribute to the men and women that gave their
lives for their country to preserve the values that we share. Their sacrifice matters
because defence matters and we should never forget the ultimate price they paid.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Meeting with the Spanish Chief of
Defence, Admiral Fernando García Sánchez, Madrid, 15 Mar. 2013
“Lessons learned from NATO operations in Afghanistan, the Balkans and many other
places have shown examples of corruption that had the potential to undermine the
Alliance’s ability to conduct effective operations, and possibly even to prevent NATO
from winning the so-called “hearts and minds” battle.
(...)
There are a couple of guiding principles that a military should embrace before it
proactively engages on this subject. Firstly, there must be understanding of the
environment within which NATO forces are operating. Secondly, analysis of the risk
of corruption is to be embedded in a global planning perspective, and mitigation
measures must be clearly identified. At this stage, it must be stressed that increased
transparency and clear accountability represent two key requisites in the BI
perspective. Transparency and accountability nurture the promotion of good
practices. They reduce the risk of corruption and they guarantee that financial
resources are properly spent in accordance with agreed priorities.
(...)
If we want our efforts to be effective, they must not be treated in isolation from wider
anti-corruption efforts. They must be led in a comprehensive approach through an
effective coordination and partnership between all involved stakeholders.
(...)
We must acknowledge that the primary contribution of NATO in a comprehensive
approach is to fulfill its core mission to provide security - and then to be the facilitator
for others to do their jobs. Security and corruption are intricately linked and as a
golden rule, one can say that the absence of security implies systematic corruption.”
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General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), Building
Integrity Conference, Monterey, 26 Feb. 2013
“But with the end of ISAF, our operational tempo is likely to decrease. This means
we will need to shift our emphasis from operational engagement to operational
readiness.”
Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, NATO Deputy Secretary General at the 48th Annual Security
Conference of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee, Oslo, Norway, 11 Feb. 2013
“NATO and its Partners currently have over 110,000 military personnel, deployed on
five operations and missions in eight countries and at Sea in the Mediterranean and
off the Horn of Africa. These personnel, working together across nations, languages
and cultures, are central to the work of NATO and its partners. Through their
continued commitment and professionalism they reflect the very best aspects of the
Alliance.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Opening Remarks at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 16 Jan. 2013
“Today, more European troops are deployed on international operations than ever
before - on NATO-led operations in Afghanistan and in Kosovo; in the
Mediterranean; and off the coast of Somalia.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, “Switzerland and NATO: Partners in security” at
the Churchill Symposium in Zürich, Switzerland, 22 Nov. 2012
“In NATO, we have been integrating Resolution 1325 into our missions and
operations for the past decade. We have already achieved a lot. But there is more
work to do.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO and Finland: building security together in
the 21st century in Helsinki, Finland, 15 Nov. 2012
“The Connected Forces Initiative is focused on our operational effectiveness. Every
day, NATO forces are working shoulder-to-shoulder from Afghanistan to Kosovo and
off the coast of Somalia. They have also developed the habit of working with
partners from outside the Alliance. This is a vital skill, and it’s one we need to retain
after we complete our ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Here again, multinational
approaches can help.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Keynote speech at the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly in Prague, 12 Nov. 2012
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“We want to maintain and strengthen the interoperability and expertise that our
forces have developed during our operations in Libya, Afghanistan and Kosovo, and
to continue to build on their success, even as our future operational tempo declines.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow at the “Georgia Defence and
Security Conference” in Batumi, Georgia, 29 Jun. 2012
“Our current operations have been a real-time, real-world driving force for improving
our ability to work together – and, when necessary, to fight together. Not just among
the twenty-eight Allies, but also with our partners around the world. Five in our Libya
operation, seven in Kosovo, and twenty-two in Afghanistan. This is invaluable
experience we cannot afford to lose.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at the Munich Security Conference
plenary session on “Building Euro-Atlantic Security”, 04 Feb. 2012
Afghanistan
“Question (Teri Schultz with National Public Radio and CBS News): The recent... I
would say harsher rhetoric between President Karzai and the US can't just be
dismissed as a bilateral issue when the US is obviously the largest force in
Afghanistan. Are you concerned by this seemingly... seeming deterioration, at least
publicly in the relationship with President Karzai's harshening rhetoric?
Answer: Obviously, I'm concerned because the fact is that a lot of efforts have been
invested in helping Afghanistan to peace, prosperity and ensure security for the
Afghan people. And troops from 50 ISAF nations have sacrificed in order to bring
progress to Afghanistan and prevent the country from, once again, becoming a safe
haven for terrorists.
As I mentioned in my introduction, there is still a lot of work to do. But the fact is that
we have achieved a lot of progress. And I think that should be acknowledged by the
Afghan authorities. And obviously, I reject the idea that was publicly launched by
President Karzai that one way or the other there is a so-called collusion between
NATO, ISAF, US and the Taliban. It's an absolutely ridiculous idea. And I've also
taken note of the fact that President Karzai, afterwards, has modified some of his
statements and stressed that his remarks were meant to help reform, not destroy,
the relationship. He stressed that we want good relations and friendship with
America. But the relationship must be between two independent nations.
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We fully respect the sovereignty of Afghanistan. But we would also expect
acknowledgment from the Afghan side that we have actually invested a lot in blood
and treasure in helping President Karzai's country to move forward.
(...)
Question (Al Hayat TV): Lors de votre meeting avec le président Karzai, est-il vrai
que le président Karzai a demandé si les troupes de l'OTAN peuvent encore rester
en Afghanistan au-delà de 2014? Il dit que l'armée afghane n'est pas encore prête
pour instaurer la sécurité et la stabilité en Afghanistan.
Répondre: En ce qui concerne notre mission après... post 2014 et le cadre légal,
l'Afghanistan est un pays souverain. Et nous tenons des consultations avec les
autorités afghanes au sujet des modalités détaillées de la mission post 2014. Pour
l'instant, les pays alliés et partenaires sont toujours en train de débattre des détails
de notre future mission. Toutefois, d'un point de vue pratique, nous espérons qu'un
seul accord couvrira l'ensemble de la mission dirigée par l'OTAN.”
Monthly Press Conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, 18 Mar. 2013
“But already, Afghanistan’s forces are stronger than they have been at any other
moment in history. They will continue to grow stronger, more effective and more
experienced. And we are determined to support them through 2014, and beyond.
Helmand is also a province that has seen real change in its local governance.
Elected district councils are investing in development, using donor funds channeled
through the central government. The governor in Helmand told me that security was
his priority and that the people in Helmand have increasing confidence in their army
and
police.
So this is the Afghan people’s chance to take control of security. And to take control
of their destiny. I believe, and the Afghans with whom I spoke believe, that this is a
chance which they must seize.
That is a message which I also heard from a group of young Afghan leaders – men
and women – whom I met in Kabul.
(...)
A new generation has emerged in Afghanistan. This young generation wants a new
way of life, not a return to the dark days of the past. The Afghan people has tasted
freedom and seen which progress it can bring. So in the future, the enemies of
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Afghanistan must not only fight a strong Afghan army. They will also have to fight the
aspirations of the Afghan people towards freedom, peace and prosperity.
Afghanistan faces many challenges beyond security, which perhaps are even
greater than security: challenges such as governance, development, the rule of law,
and the protection of human rights and freedoms – including women’s rights and
press freedom.
Tackling those challenges will demand work. Commitment. And support from the
international community. Not just NATO.
Above all, it will demand engagement by the Afghan people themselves – first and
foremost, during the presidential elections next year. It will be vital that those
elections are inclusive, and that the process and the outcome are acceptable to the
Afghan people.”
Monthly Press Conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, 18 Mar. 2013
“Next year’s elections are your opportunity to choose the future you want. That is
your sovereign right. It is your sovereign role. And it is your sovereign responsibility.
It will be vital that these elections are inclusive, and that the process and the
outcome are acceptable to the Afghan people.
And it will be vital to make sure that the Afghan government continues to deliver on
its commitments to strengthen the rule of law, fight corruption and uphold human
rights, including the rights of women.
Because that will be key to maintain stability within Afghanistan, and support within
the international community. No doubt, there will be challenges ahead. But no doubt,
Afghanistan – with the support of its friends and partners - can do it.
(...)
(Answering a question in a foreign language on Pakistan) Next, we have repeatedly
urged the Pakistani government and the Pakistani military to step up the fight against
terrorism and extremism in the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan. We
need a positive engagement of Pakistan if we are to ensure long-term peace and
stability, not only in Afghanistan but in the region.
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And I think time has come for the Pakistani leadership, the military leadership as well
as the political leadership to realize that it is in their self-interest to ensure a peaceful
development in Afghanistan.
(...)
We negotiate with the Afghan authorities to make sure that such handover can
actually also be managed afterwards. There are some economic aspects. There are
technical aspects. There are educational aspects. We have to make sure that once a
facility is handed over it can also be managed in an effective way and that it won't
burden the Afghan government unnecessarily; because you have a lot of things to
spend money on. For instance, it's important to provide a sufficient amount of funds
to make sure that Afghan security forces can actually operate to the benefit of the
Afghan people.
And if resources are then found in concrete buildings, things that may actually
occupy too many resources.... If your security forces that are supposed to protect
your people they are to stay and guard military facilities that are not necessarily well
suited for a specific purpose; then I think it's a waste of resources. So that's why we
are in a very close dialogue with Afghan authorities as to how and as to whether
such facilities should be demolished or actually handed over in a way that ensures
that the Afghan security forces can provide effective security for the Afghan people.
That's the purpose.”
Joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the President of
Aghanistan, Hamid Karzai, 04 Mar. 2013
“The announcement that President Obama and President Karzai gave on the 11th of
January this year in Washington that brought forward Tranche 5 and the associated
Milestone 13 to the spring time has, in a sense, brought on this inflection point
perhaps more quickly than one might otherwise have expected.
What it means is that the ISAF mission is being refocused. And from a military
perspective, it means that we are supporting the Afghans and they are the supported
piece of this. They effectively will have from the moment this announcement occurs
the security lead at the national level.
Now, this refocusing of the mission means that we will place our effort very much on
the basis of train, advise, assist and also support. And the support piece is important;
because as we stand at the moment there are a certain capabilities that the Afghans
still require us to supply for them.
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And particularly here, we're talking about air power, aviation, medical evacuation,
some logistics support, the counter-IED piece, intelligence support and some help
with command and control. And those are important supporting capabilities which
without I think the Afghans would find life quite difficult at the moment.
Now, what we're trying to do is to build on the concept of a layered security which will
bring together many of the different Afghan security force capabilities on the ground,
provincial and at regional level, which will deliver collectively an output that is rather
greater than the sum of the parts.
(...)
Now, that brings me in a sense neatly to Afghan National Security Force capability.
Because, of course, that's what this is all about. And I think I can say with some
confidence that their success at the tactical level is impressive. The trick is
sustaining that tactical success at the levels above and connecting the tactical
success at provincial level up to and out to Kabul and to the ministerial level.
(...)
Now turning to the NATO presence in Afghanistan, I'm confident that we have a wellthought through plan which brings together in a strategic partnership all of the issues
that need to be resolved as we step through transition. This is a plan that General
Dunford discusses regularly with President Karzai. He's been with him a couple of
times today to talk about these sorts of issues. And we're in a place now, I think,
where we have established mutual understanding on many of the difficult issues
associated with transition and how it is that over time we will build Afghan capacity to
be able to assume responsibility for the issues that come with sovereignty.
And of course sovereignty is a two-way process. It's about also being capable of
assuring sovereignty as well as it being capable of receiving sovereignty. And I'm
much encouraged by the way in which this problem is being tackled. And I think the
recent resolution of the DFIP transfer at Parwan is a good indicator of how we could
work together collaboratively to deal with the issues that we need to resolve as we
step forward through the whole transition process, thank you.
(...)
Question: Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun from Oshiko Saite (sp?). This is a
question about the post-2014 planned NATO-led train, advise and assist mission. He
says the former Secretary of Defense... US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta
indicated that the entire NATO troops post-2014 in Afghanistan might be between
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8,000 and 12,000. Would that be enough? How many Afghan security forces would
be needed to maintain security with this amount of foreign troops?
Oana Lungescu: Of course, I would stress before I pass over to you for your final
answer that this is a planning assumption of a possible range and that of course the
planned post-2014 NATO-led mission would not be a combat mission. So we're not
talking about fighting troops. This would be a mission to train, advise and assist. But
over to you for your views.
Answer: No, and I echo the point you make about this being a planning assumption
and what is happening based upon that assumption is that the NATO process is now
looking at how one might use that assumption to translate effect on the ground and
how that might work out into a deployment around Afghanistan. It's our judgment that
it provides us with the capability and capacity to provide what's called a limited
regional presence which means that we would expect to have train, advise, assist
missions in each of the six Afghan corps and at the police level. Turning to whether
or not this is enough to do the job and indeed whether the figure of 352,000 Afghan
security forces is adequate to do the job, I think that I'm going to slightly duck the
question if you'd excuse me because it goes back to the answer that I gave to the
previous question: It all depends upon politics.
If there is political participation and if there is an outcome to the transition in 2014
that is acceptable to the majority of Afghans, then the quantity of security forces
would not necessarily need to be as great as 3-5-2.
On the other hand, if political participation doesn't happen in the way that we'd like it
to happen, 3-5-2 may be a necessary figure. Everything has to be conditions based.
And it all falls out of the political circumstances and situation that evolves during the
course of 2014 and into 2015. Thank you very much for your attention. It's been a
pleasure being with you this afternoon. And I much look forward to re-engaging, if
you require it, at some stage in the next three to four months. Thank you.”
Press briefing by Lieutenant General Nick Carter, Deputy Commander, ISAF, 27 Mar. 2013
“In Afghanistan planning is going on for the post 2014 Resolute Support mission. It
will concentrate on training, advising and assisting the Afghan National Security
Force. As it is being demonstrated in Afghanistan, developing defence and security
institutions that are transparent and accountable and building capacity to manage
resources requires a long term commitment.”
General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), Building
Integrity Conference, Monterey, 26 Feb. 2013
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“Today, we have reinforced our commitment on the way forward for our new mission
to train, advise and assist the Afghan Security Forces after 2014. This will be a
different mission from ISAF and will be significantly smaller in size.
Our new mission will focus on national and institutional level training. And we
envision a regional approach more limited than our current mission. But Afghans can
be confident that our support will go well beyond the end of transition in 2014.
Of course security is only one part of the challenge. It is just as important to build
good governance and reinforce democracy and human rights.
NATO and the broader international community will continue to help Afghanistan. But
it is for the Afghan people to shape their country’s future. We can help build security,
but only the Afghan people can build their society.
(...)
(Answering a question on what regional approach means) I just want to indicate that
we will pursue a regional approach. That is: the new training mission will not be
centralized in just one location. We will have more than one centre. But again, no
concrete decision has been made as regards exactly how many and where they
should be located.”
Closing press conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen following the
meetings of NATO Defence Ministers, 22 Feb. 2013
“Q: Senior NATO officials are telling us that NATO is strongly considering a proposal
to continue funding an Afghan security force of 352,000 troops through 2018 as a
way of convincing Afghanistan that its allies are not going to abandon them.
When there was agreement to fund a force of two hundred and thirty thousand, I
think the estimate of that was $4.1 billion a year, the cost. How much it would cost to
fund the larger force? And in this era of declining budgets that you've already
referenced several times today, are you confident that you can find the money? Is
this even within the realm of possibility?
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Yes, first of all, let me stress that no final decisions have
been made. But I can confirm that it's one of the ideas that is being considered. I feel
confident that we will be able to finance Afghan security forces of that size.
Right from the outset, we have set the goal to reach the level of 352,000 Afghan
Security Forces, soldiers and police. And the international community has pledged to
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help financing that; because a security force of that size goes well beyond the
financial capacity of the Afghan Government.
And I stress this, because this is not a responsibility for NATO only. This is actually a
responsibility for the whole of the international community. And that has been
confirmed at international conferences. So it is a responsibility for the whole of the
international community.
I think it's easy to make the case that it's better to finance Afghan Security Forces
than to deploy international troops. From a political point of view, it's better to give
the defence of Afghanistan an Afghan face. And from an economic point of view, it is
actually less expensive to finance Afghan Security Forces than to deploy foreign
troops.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen following the NATO Defence Ministers meeting,
21 Feb. 2013
“At the same time, closer cooperation with Afghanistan’s neighbours is needed to
help prevent the re-creation of havens for terrorist training and other illegal activities
such as narcotics production. Last June’s Kabul Conference and the Heart of Asia
process represent important steps towards greater cooperation, understanding and
stability in the region. It is also significant that, at last month’s Ministerial meeting of
the NATO-Russia Council, Allies agreed to deepen cooperation with Russia in
support of Afghanistan’s long-term stability.”
''Meeting Today's Security Challenges'' - Introductory remarks by Ambassador Alexander Vershbow,
NATO Deputy Secretary General at the ‘Munich Security Conference Kick-Off' - Berlin Germany, 21
Jan. 2013
“Concurrent with the announcement of the fifth and final tranche of Afghan provinces
to enter the transition process, the mid-2013 milestone will mark the beginning of the
Afghan National Security Forces’ assumption of the lead for combat operations
across the country. At this time, our main effort will shift from combat to supporting
the Afghans, in preparation for conclusion of the transition process at the end of
2014.
(...)
I would like to use this occasion to reaffirm that NATO allies and partners are
committed to training, advising and assisting the Afghan National Forces after 2014.
(...)
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The Military Committee is fully aware of the need to stay focused on our current
operation, while at the same time planning for the new mission. In addition to that,
we are engaged in transferring tasks to the Afghan authorities and redeploying
material.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 17 Jan 2013
“With this decision, the Afghan security forces will be taking the lead for security for
87% of the Afghan population and 23 of the 34 Afghan provinces. This is a
significant step towards our shared goal of seeing Afghans fully in charge of their
own security by the end of 2014.
(...)
The Afghan army and police are steadily growing in capacity and confidence. They
already lead the vast majority of operations, are responsible for most of the training,
and are highly trusted by the Afghan people.”
NATO Secretary General welcomes Afghan transition announcement, 31 Dec. 2012
“Nous parlons de redéploiement. Ce n’est pas simplement une facilité de langage,
c’est vraiment un redéploiement de l’OTAN dans de nouvelles missions qui restent
encore largement à confirmer. Mais effectivement, les forces combattantes ‘de
première ligne’, sont en train de se retirer pour laisser la place aux forces de sécurité
afghanes, qui sont en montée en puissance très rapide.”
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Interview with France24,
18 Dec. 2012
“We understand that Belgium will stay committed until the end of the transition
period. That is, until the end of 2014, but obviously during this transition period, this
period of handing over lead responsibility to the Afghan Security Forces, you will see
some redeployment, you will see some drawdowns. We have not discussed in the
details numbers of Belgian troops from now until the end of 2014, but I would like to
stress that these redeployments will be in accordance with our road map. They will
be well-coordinated and they are part of our plan, because as we hand over lead
responsibility to the Afghans our troops can take a step backwards and move into a
more supporting role.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Joint press point with the Belgian Prime Minister
Elio Di Rupo and Belgian Defence Minister Pieter De Crem, 17 Dec. 2012
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“(...), we are already planning a new mission to train, advise and assist Afghan
security forces after 2014.
And as part of the international community, we will contribute to the funding of those
forces.
At the Chicago Summit in May, we committed to play our part in developing effective
funding mechanisms for the Afghan forces. For its part, the Afghan government
committed to taking on an increasingly large share of the funding, as the Afghan
economy and its own resources grow.
Today 52 nations reaffirmed these mutual commitments.
And we took a step forward in this regard by agreeing to develop further a funding
mechanism which will complement the broader international efforts within a robust
accountability framework.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference following the meetings of the
NATO-Georgia Commission in Foreign Ministers session and of NATO Foregin Ministers with nonNATO ISAF Contributing Nations, 05 Dec. 2012
“There is no rush for the exit. (...)
You will see a gradual drawdown during the process of handing over to the Afghans
until the end of 2014. So from now until the end of 2014 you will occasionally see
announcements of drawdowns or redeployments of troops. But that is not a rush for
the exit but part of the plan. As the Afghan security forces take more and more
responsibility and step forward our troops can take a step back and move into a
more supportive role.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Interview with ZDF TV, 26 Nov. 2012
“Kabul is once again a bustling metropolis of 5 million people. We see levels of
health care, education, and economic development that were unthinkable only ten
years ago. Eight million children go to school, over a third of them girls. The
economy is growing at about 6% a year.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, Opening remarks at the 9th
Annual Worldwide Security Conference “Reshaping Economic Security in Southwest Asia and the
Middle East,” 12 Nov. 2012
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“Today, the Afghan forces are in the lead for providing security to 75% of the Afghan
population. During the first six months of this year, they led over 80% of all
operations. And they are currently conducting 85% of training.
(…)
We are still facing challenges. But the Afghan forces are meeting the challenge. And
the enemy is being pushed further back from the population. Currently, 80 percent of
their attacks take place in areas where just 20 percent of the population lives.
(…) Afghanistan has recruited 352,000 troops and police, who are being trained and
deployed across the country.
They are constantly improving their literacy rates. They are developing vital skills,
such as air support, medical evacuation, maintenance and logistics. They now have
a force of 10,000 Special Operations troops.
(…)
We operate right now in Afghanistan on the basis of a United Nations mandate. We
would be able to operate in Afghanistan after 2014 on the basis of an invitation from
the Afghan Government. That would be fully in accordance with international law.
(…)
I don't share the pessimistic views expressed in the report from the International
Crisis Group. And I think the main weakness in the report from the group is the fact
that they don't take into account that the international community has committed
itself to assisting Afghanistan also after 2014, assisting Afghanistan in building
strengthened capacity to improve governance, to make the provision of basic
services to the Afghan people more effective.
(...)I'm also a strong supporter of freedom of expression. And though I don't agree
with the International Crisis Group, obviously the International Crisis Group has the
right to express its views. And I think any democracy, including Afghanistan, profits
from an open, transparent and critical debate of how we could possibly make
governance better and made the provision of basic services more efficient.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press conference, 05 Nov. 2012
“ISAF has made further progress in reducing the amount of our own coalition-caused
civilian tragedies, and ISAF's roughly responsible for six percent of all Afghan civilian
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casualties this year so far. This represents a 50 percent overall reduction in the year
to date in comparison to last year.
We continue to work hand in hand to refine and improve our procedures for
mitigating civilian casualties with the Afghan Government and Afghan National
Security Forces.
It's critical for people to understand ISAF and ANSF do not target civilians. And we
work together to reduce all causes of possible conflict-related injury and death to the
Afghan people.
(…)
The simple answer is we're well and truly down the track of helping the ANSF build
and field its counter-IED capability. It's a vulnerability for the ANSF because IEDs are
the biggest killer in theatre of the ANSF, the ISAF and the Afghan civilians.
So what we've done in both the police and the army, there are dedicated counterIED units and there's a counter-IED school established in Mazar-e-Sharif. We're
doing, at the moment, what we're calling around here the counter-IED surge, so
we're focused on the force, trying to expand and accelerate the training capacity in
the force and also getting in equipment.”
Brigadier General Roger Noble, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, ISAF, Press briefing, 31 Oct.
2012
“I was recently in Afghanistan and we are learning important lessons not only on how
gender competences can enhance our operational effectiveness, but the importance
of conveying the right political messages to our partner and host country. It is critical
that the host country demonstrates leadership in ensuring respect of women’s rights
and empowerment of women. These messages are conveyed from the highest
levels in NATO, as it was at the Chicago Summit, as well as in the theatre.
For a country like Afghanistan the role of civil society needs to be strengthened and I
encourage all of the countries here to engage in a dialogue with parliamentarians
and other parts of civil society to give those fighting for human rights and in particular
to improve the situation of the women, a channel and a platform for conveying their
views and engaging with the international community.”
NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative on UNSCR 1325 Mari Skåre, Women, peace and
security: NATO’s implementation of UNSCR 1325 at the US-Adriatic Charter Conference
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“On the provision of equipment for the Afghan Security Forces let me say the
following: Individual NATO Allies have already done a lot to provide such equipment
for the Afghan Security Forces. And I know that Allies are still working with the
Afghan government and the Afghan Security Forces to identify further shortfalls
when it comes to equipment.
(...)
Let me add to that, that this is not only a question about the provision of equipment.
It's also necessary that Afghan Security Forces are capable to actually manage such
equipment and that has to be included in our training activities, to make sure that we
not only provide necessary equipment, but also make sure that it can actually be
used in a meaningful way by the Afghan Security Forces.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Joint press conference with the President of
Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, 18 Oct. 2012
“We must leverage the experience, the achievements and the lessons learned from
this mission so that we can build the foundation for strong, flexible and deployable
NATO forces by the end of this decade – forces that are well equipped, well trained,
and well connected. This is the goal we set ourselves with NATO Forces 2020.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Video tele-conference message for the NATO
Industry Day 2012, Riga, Latvia, 15 Oct. 2012
“ISAF is one of the largest, and most ambitious operations since World War Two. It
is a coalition of fifty nations, united by the same goal. That Afghanistan can never
again become a safe haven for terrorism.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Opening remarks at the meeting of NATO
Defence Ministers with non-NATO ISAF Contributing Nations, 10 Oct. 2012
“This new mission will not be a combat mission. It will be a mission to train, advise
and assist.
(...)
The enemies of Afghanistan are using insider attacks to try to undermine trust and
public confidence. But this will not work. We will not allow the enemy to change our
strategy and undermine the trust and confidence we have built.
(...)
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No one can drive a wedge between ISAF and our Afghan partners.
(...)
So in conclusion, the insider attacks will not change our strategy. We will continue
our training, advising and partnering strategy. We will continue to hand over security
responsibility to the Afghan Security Forces.
(...)
We will definitely not leave behind a security vacuum. On the contrary, we have laid
out a strategy according to which we will build up a very strong Afghan security force
to take over when our current ISAF combat mission ends.
(...)
The fact is that already now Afghan Security Forces are in the lead of more than half
of security operations. And as I mentioned, when they have dealt with security
incidents, they have done that in a very professional manner.
(...)
We have seen a decline in the number of enemy attacks in areas that are handed
over to lead responsibility for the Afghan Security Forces.
(...)
And finally, it's also a fact that 80% of the enemy attacks take place in areas where
only 20% of the Afghan population live. In other words, a huge majority of the
Afghans live in areas where the situation is relatively calm and stable. ”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press Conference following the meetings of
NATO defence Ministers – Opening remarks, 10 Oct. 2012
From 2015 it will be followed by a NATO-led mission to train, advise and assist
Afghan security forces.
(...)
The insurgents are trying to undermine our partnership and to drive a wedge
between us. My message is very clear: we will not let them succeed. Because ISAF
and the Afghan security forces face the same threats, and we have the same goal –
a sovereign, stable and secure Afghanistan.
Edition: 10 April 2013
17
(...)
Our partners share our interest in cooperative security. They share our commitment
to stability. And they share the burden of our operations.
So it is only right that they should share the planning of operations to which they
have committed.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 01 Oct. 2012
“(…)I think that we have equipped Afghanistan, we are equipping Afghanistan to be
able to build its own future, and that is as it should be. That Afghans themselves
need to take responsibility for where their country goes to over the next ten years.
And I think that NATO's strategy, along with the support of the international
community, means that Afghanistan will be well placed to do that.
(…)
In terms of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams, I think actually they are one of the
success stories of Afghanistan. I visited very many of them, including the Norwegian
PRT in Faryab province. And what I've seen is that they have provided a degree of
capability and support for provincial governors who, over the last years, have been
trying to get their provincial administrations onto their feet. They've done a great deal
in terms of capacity-building in different provinces of Afghanistan.
(…)
As far as Pakistan is concerned, you know, we all understand that Pakistan faces an
extraordinarily complex challenge, including a very difficult insurgency on its side of
the border, which has cost the lives of many civilians and many military as well.
(…)
So what we have to do is we have to work at two levels with Pakistan. Firstly, on the
military side there has been a lot of effort in recent weeks to rebuild the military-tomilitary relations in a positive way following the setbacks of last year. And I think
there is some better cooperation in that area, partly designed to reduce the risk of
cross-border incidents which can be so damaging. So I think that that is going pretty
well.
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On the political front what, of course, we are trying to do with our dialogue with
Pakistan is to reinforce the belief in Pakistan that stability in Afghanistan is good for
Pakistan too.
(…)
Corruption is still a concern, and that was why it was one of the points which was
raised both in the Chicago declaration and the Tokyo declaration. I'm cautiously
encouraged that the government of Afghanistan is working hard on the execution of
the elements of the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework. We're seeing a lot of
activity led by the Ministry of Finance. They're actually moving rather fast on it.
As far as Pakistan is concerned, you know, we all understand that Pakistan faces an
extraordinarily complex challenge, including a very difficult insurgency on its side of
the border, which has cost the lives of many civilians and many military as well.
(…)
And it's not always a better future as we would see it for our countries, but it's how
they see the better future for their country. And I think these people do deserve our
backing. And I think we've given it to them without reserve in recent years. And we
will still have a responsibility to Afghanistan, even after our campaign is finished. You
can't just walk away from a place like Afghanistan, and that's why we've put this
framework into place.”
Former NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan Ambassador Simon Gass, Press briefing,
19 Sep. 2012
“And let me be clear. We remain committed to our strategy. And we remain
committed to our goal of seeing the Afghans fully in charge of their own security by
the end of 2014. So that is the bottom line. The goal is unchanged, the strategy
remains the same, and the timeline remains the same.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Questions and answers session with the NATO
Secretary General on NATO’s Strategy in Afghanistan following the press point with the President of
Albania, 18 Sep. 2012
“The new NATO mission will not be ISAF by another name but it will be all about
making sure that the Afghans have the skills to do the job, and not about NATO
doing their job.”
(...)
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We learned of the continuing improvements in the ability of the Afghan National
Security Forces. All plans remain on track and we are currently discussing planning
for military aspects of the long term enduring partnership with Afghanistan, which our
political leadership committed to at the Chicago Summit last May.
(...)
Over the next 27 months, we will continue to train and support the Afghan forces so
that they can secure their own country by the end of 2014. There is some hard
fighting still ahead and, with that, some challenges and inevitable setbacks – there is
no doubt, however, that significant progress has been made to help Afghanistan in
moving forward as a nation.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee Conference in Sibiu, Romania, 15 Sep 2012
“In the past few months, we have seen a number of insider attacks, which are of
great concern to all of us. We are looking very carefully into each one. And we are
doing everything we can, together with our Afghan partners, to reduce the risks as
much as we can.
The vetting and screening of recruits is getting stronger. We are seeing better
counter-intelligence efforts. ISAF and Afghan forces are getting more training to
understand cultural differences. And we are constantly adapting the measures to
protect our forces to the situation on the ground.
(…)
Every day, we see tens of thousands of ISAF and Afghan troops fighting together
against the same threat and for the same goal. We know that despite these tragic
incidents, the vast majority of our forces have a bond of trust with their Afghan
comrades. And many Afghans have sacrificed their lives for ours.
(…)
The Afghan forces are genuinely moving into the lead. They are assuming more
responsibility in the campaign. They are taking the lead for providing security for
three quarters of the population. Every province is part of this process. And the
insurgents are being pushed further back from the population.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General’s monthly press
briefing, 10 Sep. 2012
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“Afghanistan proves that the only sensible approach to 21st century security is a
cooperative approach.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy in Baku,
Azerbaijan, 07 Sep. 2012
“Our combat mission will be completed by the end of 2014. But we know that we
won’t get a holiday from history afterwards. We will remain engaged in training the
Afghan security forces. And we will continue to face many other, complex security
challenges.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at Chatham House, London, 04 July
2012
“We are working toward our goal of putting the security of Afghanistan in the hands
of the Afghans.
As we speak, half the Afghan population lives in areas where their own forces are in
the lead for providing security. And over the coming weeks and months, that
protection will extend to three quarters of the population.
That means that, later this summer, those Afghans living in areas protected by their
own forces will become the clear majority.
This is a big step forward. A step towards our shared goal of seeing Afghan troops
and police fully responsible for their country’s security by the end of 2014.
It has been made possible thanks to the courage, skills and sacrifice of ISAF and our
Afghan partners.
There are still challenges to face and hard fighting ahead. But Afghanistan is making
headway.
Of course, security is just one of the challenges facing Afghanistan. And NATO is
just one part of the solution. In the bigger picture of the future Afghanistan security,
development and good governance all have to come together.
And together, the international community and the Afghan people are putting the
pieces in place. Over the last few months, we have built a strong framework of
partnership and mutual responsibility. On which Afghanistan can rely as it stands on
its own two feet.
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Edition: 10 April 2013
(…)
En juin, la conférence de Kaboul a envoyé un message clair de responsabilité
régionale quant au soutien de l’Afghanistan par les pays d’Asie centrale et les pays
voisins pendant une bonne partie de la prochaine décennie.
La semaine prochaine, la communauté internationale se rassemblera à Tokyo pour
démontrer son engagement en faveur du développement économique à long terme
de l’Afghanistan. La conférence de Tokyo sera une excellente occasion d’obtenir des
promesses d’aide pour veiller à ce que l’Afghanistan poursuive son développement
et préserve sa sécurité bien au-delà de 2014.
Because even when Afghanistan is fully in charge of its own security, it will still be
one of the poorest countries in the world. And the best way to maintain its security,
will be to help it face this challenge.
That is why the Tokyo conference is so important. The international community has
laid the foundations for growth, by supporting Afghanistan in areas such as transport,
communications, healthcare and education. The Afghan people need to see that the
international community will continue to build on those gains.
At the same time, the international community needs to know that the Afghan
authorities will live up to their commitments. President Karzai has already pledged to
improve governance, and to fight corruption. To ensure the protection of human
rights, including the rights of women. ”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly Press Briefing, 02 July 2012
“In our ISAF mission in Afghanistan today, the 28 NATO Allies stand shoulder-toshoulder with 22 Partner nations from all over the globe. It is quite an extraordinary
coalition. Our shared goal is a stable Afghanistan that is capable of looking after its
own security, and a country that will never again be a safe haven for terrorists who
threaten our nations.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow at the “Georgia Defence and
Security Conference” in Batumi, Georgia, 29 June 2012
“Nous avons également pris un engagement politique clair : nous assumerons notre
part du futur financement de ces forces. De son côté, le président Karzaï nous a
redit que les autorités afghanes s'engageaient à assumer leurs responsabilités pour
ce qui concerne la bonne gouvernance et la protection des droits de l'homme.
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We also reached agreement on reverse transit from Afghanistan with three Central
Asian partners: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. These agreements will give
us a range of new options and the robust and flexible transport network we need. I
thank all three partner countries for their support. And NATO will continue to actively
engage with Afghanistan’s neighbours to build wider support for the country’s
stability.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 04 June 2012
“Since our last summit in Lisbon, nearly 18 months ago, we have made great
progress -- in preventing Afghanistan from serving as a safe haven for terrorists and
ensuring that Afghans take charge of their own security.
The insurgents are under pressure as never before. And we are on track to complete
transition to Afghan security responsibility by the end of 2014. That was the goal we
set with President Karzai in Lisbon. We are all committed to it. And that goal is
coming into sight.
Today, we have agreed on three key points: the next stage of our engagement until
our mission is completed at the end of 2014; the role for NATO after 2014; and
thirdly, our support for the sustainment of the future Afghan security forces.
Every day Afghan troops and police are gaining in capability and confidence. With
the right support, they are ready and eager to provide for their own security.
Already, three quarters of the Afghan population are living in areas where their own
security forces are taking the lead for their security.
In the course of 2013, we expect the Afghan forces to be in the lead for combat
operations across the country. This will mark an important mile-stone in our shared
journey – the moment when, throughout Afghanistan, people can look out and see
their own troops and police stepping up to the challenge.
As the Afghan forces step up, our own forces will step back into a supporting role.
This will allow us to gradually and responsibly draw down our troops. But we will
remain combat-ready until we have completed our ISAF mission at the end of 2014.
However, that will not be the end of our commitment. The government of Afghanistan
has invited NATO to help provide support to the Afghan security forces after 2014.
And we are ready to lead a new training, advising and assistance mission.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen,Press Conference following the meeting on
Afghanistan in Heads of State and Government format,21 May 2012
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“The NATO-led ISAF mission has played a vital role in denying terrorists a safe
haven in Afghanistan. Today we will discuss how to complete the transition of
security responsibility to the Afghan Security Forces, a process we set in motion at
our last NATO summit in Lisbon in 2010.
Afghan troops and police are already in the lead for the security of half the
population. And last week, President Karzai announced the third group of Afghan
provinces, cities and districts to come under Afghan lead.
Transition means the people of Afghanistan increasingly see their own army and
police in their towns and villages, providing their security. This is an important sign of
progress towards our shared goal: an Afghanistan governed and secured by
Afghans, for Afghans.
In the course of next year, we expect that Afghan Security Forces will have assumed
the lead for security responsibility across the whole of Afghanistan.
That will be a significant marker towards completing the journey of transition. As
Afghan forces step up, our forces will step back into a supporting role, focusing on
training, advising and assisting our Afghan partners. And by the end of 2014, Afghan
forces have assumed full security responsibility throughout Afghanistan. By end of
2014, the ISAF operation will terminate and the NATO-led combat mission will end.
But our commitment is for the long-term. From 2015, we expect to maintain a NATOled presence to train, advise, and assist the Afghan security forces. And NATO and
ISAF nations will also pay their share to help sustain the army and police
Afghanistan needs for the coming years.
We all remain committed to our goal: a secure and democratic Afghanistan in a
stable region.“
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen,Opening Remarks at the meeting on Afghanistan
in Heads of State and Government Format, 21 May 2012
“Here in Chicago, we have charted the course to complete our current mission in
Afghanistan. And we have made clear our collective commitment to a stable and
secure Afghanistan, together with our Afghan partners and the international
community as a whole.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press Conference following the meeting with
Partners in Heads of State and Government format, 21 May 2012
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Edition: 10 April 2013
“Tomorrow, more than 60 world leaders will focus on the future of Afghanistan. That
meeting will send a strong signal of commitment to the Afghan people.
We have taken important steps on the road to a stable and secure Afghanistan. As
we agreed with President Karzai in Lisbon, our shared goal is for the Afghan forces
to be fully responsible for their country’s security by the end of 2014. And we are on
track.
The Afghan forces are already in the lead for providing security for half the
population. Soon, that will rise to over 75%.
By the middle of 2013, we expect the Afghan forces to be taking the lead for security
right across the country. As they step forward, our focus will shift from combat to
support - but we will remain combat-ready.
Once the Afghans have full responsibility by the end of 2014, our combat mission will
come to an end. But we will not walk away. Once transition is completed, NATO will
lead a new mission, to train, advise and support the Afghan security forces.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press Conference after the first session of the
North Atlantic Council in Heads of State and Government format, 20 May 2012
”I think the clear message from this summit will be that we stay committed to our
operation in Afghanistan; that we will continue to transfer, to hand over lead
responsibility to the Afghans, according to the plan we have laid out already when
we met in Lisbon in 2010.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Doorstep statement at the beginning of the
Summit meetings of Heads of State and Government in Chicago, 20 May 2012
La formation et l’entraînement sont des facteurs clés dans la politique de
reconstruction et de stabilisation de l’Afghanistan. La réussite du processus de
transition dépend en grande partie de la capacité des forces de sécurité afghanes à
assurer leur propre sécurité et celle de leurs concitoyens. Aujourd’hui plus de la
moitié du territoire afghan est sous leur responsabilité et plus de 300.000 soldats et
policiers ont déjà été formés.
Former Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) General Stéphane Abrial, Sommet de
Chicago 2012, Politique Internationale, May 2012
“We are increasingly seeing that the Afghan National Security Forces will prevail,
and the enemy will see that the fight cannot be won, not now or in the future.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Opening Remarks at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 20 Apr 2012
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“La transition est en bonne voie et se déroule dans les délais. La moitié de la
population afghane vit à présent dans des zones où les forces afghanes sont
responsables de la sécurité. Dans les prochains mois, je m’attends à ce que
davantage de districts et de provinces passent aussi progressivement sous
responsabilité afghane. À mesure que les forces afghanes assumeront plus de
responsabilités en termes de sécurité, nos forces pourront assumer plus de
responsabilités en termes de soutien.
Notre engagement en faveur de l’Afghanistan demeure : nous restons prêts et
capables de mener, s’il y a lieu, des opérations de combat. Et nous préserverons
cette capacité jusqu’à la fin de notre mission actuelle.
À Lisbonne, nous avons fixé l’objectif de la transition : la prise en charge complète
par les Afghans de leur propre sécurité d’ici à 2014. Cet objectif reste inchangé.
Notre feuille de route en vue de cet objectif, tout comme notre détermination, restent
également inchangées.
At our Summit meeting in Chicago next month, we will set out how we will complete
transition. And we will agree our commitment to Afghanistan beyond transition. We
will discuss what kind of mission NATO will undertake after 2014. So that we can
continue to deliver the right training, advice and assistance to our Afghan partners.
We will play our part, and pay our share, of funding the future Afghan security forces
– together with our international partners.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Opening remarks at the meeting of the NATO
Ministers of Foreign Affairs with non-NATO ISAF contributing nations, 19 Apr. 2012
“Every day, we see Afghan security forces growing stronger and more capable.
They are in the lead for over 40 percent of conventional operations across the
country. They have the security lead for areas where 50 percent of Afghans live. And
I expect that we will soon see them take the lead for more districts and provinces.
And I am very pleased that a number of allies today announced concrete financial
contributions to the Afghan security forces in the future and other allies announced
that they will be able to announce concrete contributions at a later stage. And I see
that as a clear commitment to sustaining the Afghan security forces in the future.
NATO’s firm goal is to complete the transition to full Afghan security responsibility by
the end of 2014, within the timetable we all agreed. And NATO’s firm intention is to
continue supporting Afghanistan after 2014. Because our partnership with the
Afghan people is for the long term.
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Our commitment is to continue building the capacity of the Afghan security forces
beyond 2014.“
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press Point following the joint North Atlantic
Council meeting in Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers session, 18 Apr. 2012
“Across Afghanistan, ISAF troops from many nations are showing remarkable
restraint and professionalism, under very difficult conditions. We can be proud of
their actions. And the fact that the Afghan security forces are in the lead in dealing
with this crisis shows how far they have come. So despite the tragedy of this incident
and the challenges we face, we must not lose sight of our goal – a stable
Afghanistan. That is in all of our interests. And that must remain the focus of our
shared efforts.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Remarks at the Allied Command Transformation
Seminar, Washington DC, 28 Feb. 2012
“I want to emphasize that the Afghans remain our partners. Afghan soldiers are
alongside ours, fighting to protect the population against threats of extremist
violence. Afghan National Security Forces are increasingly in the front line: and their
losses are high. They want us to stay and help train and assist them, so that we can
achieve our common goal. By end 2014, they will be fully in the lead. NATO will
remain resolute, and will stick to the plan for transfer of security responsibility as we
agreed with the Afghan Government at the Lisbon summit in 2010.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Introductory remarks at the National Defence
University, Washington DC, 28 Feb. 2012
“Afghanistan is of course our top operational priority. And we are making progress.
Every day, Afghan forces are growing stronger and more capable. They are leading
around 40% of all combat operations. And they have started to provide security for
half the Afghan population.
So our mission is going in the right direction. Our shared goal is for the Afghan
forces to be in the lead for security all across the country by the end of 2014 – and
we stick to that goal.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, arrival statement prior to the NATO Defence
Ministers meetings at NATO HQ, 02 Feb. 2012
“Today, as members of NATO, you and your Baltic neighbours play a key role in
making sure that Afghanistan will never again be a safe haven for terrorists. That
they will never again threaten our nations, our security and our shared values. I
particularly welcome the fact that Estonian forces are operating in Afghanistan
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Edition: 10 April 2013
without restrictions. Because that means they can be deployed quickly whenever,
and wherever, extra troops are needed to improve security.
We are now entering a crucial period in our engagement in Afghanistan. Afghan
army and police have begun to take charge for the protection of half of the
population. And the transition of our security responsibilities to the Afghans is on
track to be completed by the end of 2014. But we must – and we will -- continue to
stand by Afghanistan after that date. And I am confident that Estonia and your Baltic
neighbours will be part of that enduring engagement.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech in Tallinn, Estonia, 19 Jan. 2012
“I think it's premature to make any concrete assessment right now as regards the
future and number of Afghan security forces. That will, at the end of the day, very
much depend on the security situation on the ground by the end of 2014.
Having said that, we must, of course, make sure that the size and scope of the
Afghan security forces are sustainable in a longer-term perspective, financially as
well as security-wise. We are in the midst of an evaluation of that. So I think it's
premature to present any exact figure at this stage.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Joint press conference with the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, 18 Jan. 2012
Libya
“Our Libya operation two years ago demonstrated that European Allies and Canada
can take the lead in NATO-led combat operations – and Norway’s air force
performed brilliantly. But Libya also confirmed the Alliance’s over-reliance on some
critical U.S. capabilities, especially strategic enablers like Intelligence, Surveillance
and Reconnaissance, and air-to-air refuelling.”
Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, NATO Deputy Secretary General at the 48th Annual Security
Conference of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee, Oslo, Norway, 11 Feb. 2013
“(…) last year over Libya, we prevented a massacre and helped protect civilians from
attack.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at the Yerevan State University in
Yerevan, Armenia, 06 Sep. 2012
L’OTAN prouve au contraire chaque jour sa raison d’être et son efficacité. Elle n’a
pas d’équivalent dans le monde et reste probablement la seule organisation
Edition: 10 April 2013
28
régionale en mesure de conduire des actions d’envergure du type de celle menée en
Libye.
Former Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) General Stéphane Abrial, Sommet de
Chicago 2012, Politique Internationale, May 2012
The Libya crisis started as a coalition. And this was, in my mind, necessary because
only a coalition can react that fast. But then it was obvious that if we wanted to last
for the whole duration of the operation and bring this total commitment, it was good
to switch to the Alliance. And the Alliance made a very, very fast decision. It took not
even six days, if you compare this to the decision cycles for Kosovo, even worse for
Bosnia. It was extraordinary. All 28 Nations decided there would be an operation
following the U.N. mandate. Then on the basis of the Alliance, we expanded with
partners. And we had a larger coalition through partners from Europe and also from
the Middle East and North Africa, which is extraordinary regional support.
Former Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) General Stéphane Abrial, The Chicago
Council on Global Affairs, 27 Mar. 2012
“The unique combination of international support, political will, partnership and
cooperation, and NATO’s military capabilities in the geographic region were all
critical elements in the Alliance’s successful intervention.
(...)
The Libya campaign is not a template. Many lessons from the operation revealed
aspects that will require the Alliance’s continued attention in the future such as
critical capabilities, enhanced Partnerships and civil-military cooperation. “
Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, SDA Security Jam, 23 Mar 2012
“In Libya, we conducted a highly effective operation, which nobody could have
predicted at the start of the year. We protected the civilian population and saved
countless lives. We did that with the strong political and operational support of
partners, many from the region, and in close coordination with the United Nations,
the Arab League, the European Union and other key actors. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, monthly press conference, 26 Jan. 2012
Kosovo
“For the time being the KFOR troop level will remain as it is; that is around 5,000
troops, a bit more than 5,000 troops. As you know, we have the long-term goal to
further reduce the number of KFOR troops, but because of the volatile situation, in
Edition: 10 April 2013
29
particular in the North, we have postponed any decision to reduce further our
presence in Kosovo.
So we will maintain the current level of troops in Kosovo as long as necessary to
ensure that we can fully live up to the United Nations mandate to ensure security and
freedom of movement for all people in Kosovo.”
Secretary General’s Monthly Press Conference and launch of the Annual Report for 2012, 31 Jan.
2013
“For Kosovo, there is reason to be optimistic now that tangible progress is being
made in Belgrade/Pristina dialogue, and with the agreement on the integrated border
management implementation. Our commitment to this operation also remains firm
and we keep focused on ensuring the required force structure in order to fulfil our
mission, which is to maintain a safe and secure environment.“
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 17 Jan 2013
“The security situation on the ground has improved since we met here in February
of this year. As a result of the combined efforts by KFOR and EULEX, there is now
greater freedom of movement.
(...)
The KFOR mission and its new Commander – Major General Halbauer -- have our
full support. KFOR has done an excellent job in maintaining a safe and secure
environment for all people in Kosovo.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Opening remarks at the meeting of NATO
Defence Ministers with non-NATO Contributing Nations, 10 Oct. 2012
“We welcome the relaunching of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina
facilitated by the European Union. We will continue to fully support that dialogue. All
need to live up to their responsibilities and move the whole region forward.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference following the meetings of
NATO Defence Ministers – Opening Remarks, 10 Oct. 2012
“The situation in Kosovo has improved since last year, although some security
matters remain [...] KFOR is thoroughly committed to enforce the UN mandate to
ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Interview with SETimes, 05 Oct 2012
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“Chiefs of Defence reiterated the need for a durable political solution encouraging all
parties involved to continue discussions under the auspices of the European Union.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee Conference in Sibiu, Romania, 15 Sep 2012
“NATO is fully committed to the stability and security of the Western Balkans -nowhere more than in Kosovo. For the past 12 years, the NATO-led mission here
has helped preserve a safe and secure environment for all people in Kosovo – firmly,
fairly and impartially.
(…)
As the security situation continues to improve, our goal remains to keep on moving
towards a smaller, more flexible, deterrent presence.
We will do this in a gradual and careful manner. We will take into account the overall
evolution in Kosovo over a sustained period of time. And the growing ability of local
institutions to deal with law and order challenges in Kosovo.
We will make sure that KFOR remains robust and credible. We will make sure that it
has the support that it needs, for as long as it needs, under our United Nations
mandate. And KFOR and EULEX will continue to work hand in hand, in a
complementary fashion.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press Conference in Pristina, Kosovo, 11 Jul.
2012
"The use of violence in Kosovo is not a way forward. The only way forward is
dialogue.”
Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Press Conference in Pristina,
Kosovo, 12 Jun 2012
“In Kosovo, we also dealt effectively with the unexpected flare-up of tension. Our
troops maintained a safe and secure environment for all the people of Kosovo –
carefully, firmly and impartially. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, monthly press conference, 26 Jan. 2012
“I full agree with General Bartels that KFOR that the KFOR mission facilitates a
peaceful and political solution to the conflict in northern Kosovo. We are there to
ensure a secure and stable environment. We conduct our operations in a status
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neutral and impartial way, and that way I do believe that we can contribute to
creating the space for long-term, sustainable political solutions.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, monthly press conference, 26 Jan. 2012
“We are committed to the operation which is ongoing in Kosovo and we aim to
stabilize the situation and to make sure we can bring it forward, move it forward in a
positive way.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 19 Jan. 2012
Piracy
“Djibouti plays a central role in supporting the international community’s efforts in the
Horn of Africa – especially in the vital fight against piracy. And we have a good
cooperation within the framework of these international efforts. NATO already has a
liaison officer in Djibouti to ensure effective coordination with all those involved in
counter-piracy activities.
(...)
This year, we have seen significant progress in the fight against piracy. This has
been a true international effort, and it has had a real effect. Pirate attacks have been
sharply reduced in 2012. And not one ship has been taken by pirates in the last six
months.”
Joint press point with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the Prime Minister of
Djibouti, Dileita Mohammed Dileita, 21 Dec. 2012
“Our Task Force patrols an area greater than 2 million square miles, approximately
the size of Western Europe. It has recently helped the crew of a ship kept hostage by
pirates for two years and continues to interdict pirate activity. It also helps build up
the capacity of regional governments to fight piracy and increase maritime safety and
security in East Africa.
Due to our combined efforts, the East African coast is now much safer than in the
past. Attacks are down sharply. In 2011 pirates managed to capture 24 ships, in
2012 they have captured 7. In 2011 we recorded 129 pirate attacks, in 2012 they
have been 19. So there is still work to do but international cooperation is showing
results and NATO is playing its part.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press conference, 05 Nov. 2012
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“In the Indian Ocean we help to ensure free passage for ships facing the threat of
piracy.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at the Yerevan State University in
Yerevan, Armenia, 06 Sep. 2012
“I believe there would be huge benefit from Allied and partner navies working more
closely together in specific aspects, such as counter-piracy.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at Chatham House, London, 04 Jul.
2012
“(…) And we continued to fight piracy off Somalia. Last year, pirates managed to
capture 24 ships. Infact that is half the figure in 2010.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, monthly press conference, 26 Jan. 2012
Missile Defense
“Question (Adrian Croft from Reuters): A question for the Secretary General, please.
About Syria. The Syrian opposition leader, Mr. Alkhatib is asking the West to extend
the Patriot coverage over the northern areas of Syria to protect the rebel-held areas,
and also in a BBC interview, the former head of the UN military mission in Syria,
General Mood, is saying it's time for the international community to consider
imposing a No-Fly Zone in northern Syria.
Is this something that NATO is looking at, or could consider, extending the range of
the Patriot missiles?
Answer: In brief, no, we have no plans to change the purpose of, and coverage of
the deployed Patriot missiles. We made clear right from the outside that this
deployment of Patriot missiles is purely defensive. We have no offensive intentions.
We are there to ensure effective defence and protection of the Turkish people and
Turkey's territory. We consider that a core task of NATO, to protect our Allies. And
we stick to that declaration, which was issued when we decided to deploy the Patriot
missiles.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the joint press point with the Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Marin Raykov, 27 Mar. 2013
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“Question (Adrian Croft from Reuters): Secretary General, how concerned were you
by Northern Korea's threat earlier in the month that it could stage a pre-emptive
nuclear strike against the US? And is NATO going to take any measures in response
to that, apart the missile.... anti-missile measure that was announced by the US
Defence Secretary last week, thanks?
Answer: No. We are not considering further steps. But obviously, we are very much
concerned about what we have seen from North Korea. The North Korean steps,
their actions have been broadly condemned, not only by NATO; but by the whole of
the international community, including, by the way, China. So the North Korean
regime is as isolated as ever.
Obviously, it's a matter of concern. And I understand very well that the US and
others take steps to ensure effective defence and protection of their populations.
(...)
Question (Philippe Regnier, Le Soir): Sur le bouclier anti-missile à nouveau. S'il n'y
avait que la phase un, deux et trois, la protection parfaite de la population des
territoires européens est assurée et donc qu'il n'y a aucune différence, à quoi servait
la phase quatre? Et qu'est-ce qui va changer? Ce n'est pas clair pour moi.
Answer: Comme l'a déclaré M. Hagel, l'engagement des États-Unis en faveur de la
défense anti-missile de l'OTAN en Europe est inébranlable. Monsieur Hagel a
également indiqué clairement qu'il n'y avait pas de changement de plan pour les
trois premières phases de déploiement de défense anti-missile des États-Unis en
Europe. Et ces déploiements permettront d'assurer la couverture du territoire et des
populations de tous les pays européens de l'Alliance, comme prévu... comme prévu.
Et laissez-moi souligner les plans de la défense anti-missile de l'OTAN ne sont ni
conçus ni dirigés contre la Russie. Techniquement parlant, ils ne permettront pas
d'entamer le potentiel de dissuasion de la Russie. Et notre offre de coopération avec
la Russie en matière de défense anti-missile reste valable. Et je n'en doute pas, la
Russie verra les avantages qu'il y a à coopérer et saisira cette occasion. Et le
nouveau projet des États-Unis ne gênera pas cette évaluation.”
Monthly Press Conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, 18 Mar. 2013
“The Patriot missiles which will augment Turkey’s air defence capabilities are now
operational under NATO command and control. This shows Alliance solidarity and
resolve.
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This deployment is also a clear demonstration of the importance of having the right
capabilities, at high readiness. So that we can deter and defend against any threat.
And respond to any crisis, wherever, and whenever, our nations’ security is at risk.”
Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the meeting of the North
Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers session, 21 Feb. 2013
“Missile defence is a core element of our collective defence. And the deployment of
Patriot missiles to Turkey is a real response to a real threat.
Many European Allies already contribute to NATO’s missile defence system. But I
could see other possible contributions. For instance, European navies upgrading
their ships with missile defence radars and interceptors so they can deploy alongside
United States vessels.”
''NATO after ISAF – Staying Successful Together'' - Remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders
Fogh Rasmussen at the Munich Security Conference, 02 Feb. 2013
“We estimate that once it's in place at those locations [Adana, Kahramanmaras,
Gaziantep] that we will provide protection against missiles for up to 3.5 million
people, is our current assessment. So 3.5 million Turkish people under the protection
of this missile defence capability in support of Turkey's air defence.”
Press briefing on the deployment of Patriot Missiles to Turkey by NATO Spokesperson Oana
Lungescu and Brigadier General Gary Deakin, Director of SHAPE Comprehensive Crisis and
Operations Management Center (CCOMC), 23 Jan. 2013
“Question (Adrian Croft, Reuters): Secretary General, so I’d like to ask you a
question about Syria, please. Can you confirm that the Syrian army is continuing to
fire scud missiles at rebels in recent days, and does this carry a risk of escalating the
conflict?
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Yes. I can confirm that we have detected the launch of
scud-type missiles. We strongly regret that act and I consider it acts of a desperate
regime approaching collapse. The fact that such missiles are used in Syria
emphasizes the need for effective defence and protection of our Ally, Turkey.
Let me stress that the launch, the recent launch of missiles has not hit Turkish
territory. But of course, there is a potential threat, and this is exactly the reason why
NATO Allies decided to deploy patriot missiles in Turkey for a defensive purpose
only, but with the aim to ensure effective defence and protection of the Turkish
population and Turkish territory.”
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Joint press point with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the Prime Minister of
Djibouti, Dileita Mohammed Dileita, 21 Dec. 2012
“Q: A question for the Secretary General about Syria. Iran's army chief of staff
warned NATO over the weekend that stationing Patriot anti-missile batteries on the
Turkish border was setting the stage for a world war. I was just wondering how you
responded to those comments by Iran?
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: I completely denounce these allegations. We have made
clear right from the outset that the deployment of Patriots is a purely defensive
measure. We are there to defend and protect our Ally Turkey. We have no offensive
intensions whatsoever. And we have made that clear right from the outset.
So let me reiterate, we are there to defend Turkey. I think the only actors that might
be concerned about this purely defensive deployment of Patriot missiles are actors
that might have silly ideas to use their missile capabilities for offensive purposes. But
I hope that the fact that we have deployed Patriot missiles in Turkey can act as an
effective deterrence, so that no one would even think about attacking Turkey.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Joint Press Point with the Belgian prime Minister
Elio De Rupo and Belgian Defence Minister Pieter De Crem
“The Netherlands is a strong and reliable Ally. And I would like to thank you, to thank
your country for your staunch support of NATO’s missions and operations.
We welcome your intention to contribute two batteries to the expected deployment of
Patriot missiles to Turkey. This is a strong signal of Allied solidarity. The deployment
will be defensive only. It will in no way support a no-fly zone or any offensive
operation. Its aim is to deter any threats to Turkey, and to defend Turkey’s
population and territory on NATO’s south-eastern border. Because the ultimate task
of our Alliance is the protection and defence of our members.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Joint press point with the Prime Minister of the
Netherlands, Mark Rutte, 13 Dec. 2012
“Today NATO agreed to augment Turkey’s air defence capabilities by deploying
Patriot missiles to Turkey.
(...)
To the Turkish people we say: we are determined to defend you and your territory.
To anyone who would want to attack Turkey we say: don’t even think about it.
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We welcome the intention of Germany, the Netherlands and the United States to
provide Patriot missile batteries – subject, of course, to their respective national
procedures. The systems will be under the operational command of NATO’s
Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.
And I want this to be absolutely clear: this deployment will be defensive only. It will in
no way support a no-fly zone or any offensive operation. And it will contribute to the
de-escalation of the crisis along the Alliance’s border.
Today’s agreement follows consultations in the framework of Article 4 of the North
Atlantic Treaty. Consultations held at Turkish request and, of course, the North
Atlantic council will regularly assess the developing situation and the implementation
of the deployment.
NATO’s ultimate task is the protection and defence of our members. Today, we
underline once again our steadfast commitment to the security of this Alliance and
our full solidarity and resolve to protect our populations and territories.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference following the North Atlantic
Council meeting in Foreign Ministers session, 04 Dec. 2012
“A possible deployment of Patriot missiles is definitely not a symbolic act but the real
thing. This is a purely defensive measure. The aim is to deescalate the situation
along the Syrian-Turkish border. I do believe that a possible deployment of Patriots
will have a deescalating effect because it will be an effective deterrent so any
potential aggressor would not even think about attacking Turkey.
(...)
Right now we have an expert team visiting Turkey and in collaboration with the
Turkish authorities they will figure out how many Patriots will be necessary to offer
an effective defence and protection.
(...)
We have made clear right from the outset that this will not be for a No Fly Zone.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Interview with ZDF TV, 26 Nov. 2012
“I have received a letter from the Turkish government requesting the deployment of
Patriot missiles. Such a deployment would augment Turkey’s air defence capabilities
to defend the population and territory of Turkey. It would contribute to the deescalation of the crisis along NATO’s south-eastern border. And it would be a
concrete demonstration of Alliance solidarity and resolve.
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In its letter, the Turkish government stressed that the deployment will be defensive
only, and that it will in no way support a no-fly zone or any offensive operation.
(...) If approved, the deployment would be undertaken in accordance with NATO’s
standing air defence plan. It is up to the individual NATO countries that have
available Patriots - Germany, the Netherlands and the United States - to decide if
they can provide them for deployment in Turkey and for how long. Next week a joint
team will visit Turkey to conduct a site-survey for the possible deployment of
Patriots.
The security of the Alliance is indivisible. NATO is fully committed to deterring
against any threats and defending Turkey’s territorial integrity.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Statement on Patriot Missile Deployment to
Turkey, 21 Nov. 2012
“If we are to deploy Patriot missiles it would be purely a defensive measure to defend
and protect Turkey. And deployment would take place on Turkish territory.
Let me stress that NATO is not involved in the Middle East peace process and we
don’t seek a role in it. But having said that, I am very much concerned about the
escalation of violence in both Gaza and Israel. And I strongly regret the death and
suffering of innocent civilians in both Israel and Gaza. Of course Israel has the right
to self-defence and attacks against Israel must end, but the international community
would also expect Israel to show restraint and I welcome regional and international
efforts to find a settlement.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Comments on Turkey and the Middle East, 19
Nov. 2012
“Our missile defence system to protect our populations and territories is now
operational.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Keynote speech at the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly in Prague, 12 Nov. 2012
“Today, we face a grave and growing threat from the proliferation of ballistic missile
technology. More than 30 states already have that technology, or are seeking to
acquire it. Some have ballistic missiles that can be fitted with conventional warheads
or weapons of mass destruction. And several of our NATO Allies in southern Europe
are already within range.
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As Allies, we have a range of proven tools at our disposal to address this threat –
deterrence, disarmament and diplomacy. But we must also be ready to respond if a
potential aggressor, armed with ballistic missiles, refuses to be deterred, or rejects
disarmament, or resists diplomacy. That is why we agreed to develop a NATO
missile defence system at our Summit in Lisbon almost two years ago.
We have made good progress in implementing that decision. At our most recent
NATO Summit, in Chicago in May, we were able to declare an interim missile
defence capability. Key assets are deployed. They are linked up with an initial
NATO command-and-control system. The procedures are in place. The people are
trained. And tests have demonstrated that it works.
We are working hard at the moment to expand this initial system so we can attain full
operational capability. This will not happen next week, it will take years. But we are
committed to this longer-term goal and are moving forward.
(…)
Our developing missile defence capability demonstrates Allies’ commitment to
adapting to new and emerging security challenges. It is also an excellent example of
Smart Defence – Allies working together to deliver a capability that they would be
unable to afford on their own. In this endeavour, NATO acts as a unique organising
framework that ensures unity of effort, interoperability, and cost-effectiveness.
(…)
Missile defence has brought a new dynamic to our cooperation within the Alliance.
But we also strongly believe that cooperation in this area can be a real game
changer in our relationship with Russia. Unfortunately, we have not made as much
progress on that front as we would like.
Let me just say that in our view, Russia’s continuing objections to NATO’s missile
defence plans are simply not grounded on facts. For geographical, scientific and
numerical reasons, NATO’s missile defence cannot and will not change the strategic
balance nor pose any threat to Russia’s assured second-strike capability. The
system’s infrastructure is specifically configured and optimised to protect against
missile threats from outside the Euro-Atlantic area – not from Russia. That’s true
today and it will remain the case when NATO deploys the later phases of the system
at the end of this decade. And if the Russians were to work with us on missile
defence, they wouldn’t have to take my word for it; they would see it with their own
eyes.
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Ballistic missile proliferation is a real threat, not only for NATO countries, but also for
Russia. Cooperating to defend against this threat – through linked radars, shared
early warning data, and coordinated intercepts – would benefit both NATO and
Russia. It would enhance our respective capabilities, and reduce our vulnerability. If
NATO and Russian officers worked together 24/7 to plan and conduct combined
missile defence operations, it would also create greater confidence and trust
between us and show the world that NATO’s and Russia’s interests coincide. And
that would benefit security throughout the entire Euro-Atlantic area.
NATO will continue to seek closer cooperation with Russia on missile defence, as
well as in other areas. But irrespective of the progress we make with Russia in this
area, we will push ahead with our own NATO missile defence capability as planned.
Because it is critical to the collective defence of our people and our territory in this
21st century.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow, at the Security and Defence Agenda
Roundtable “Next steps in Missile Defence”, 27 Sep. 2012
“On missile defence, we will continue our dialogue with Russia. We have decided to
develop a NATO missile defence system because we consider the missile threat a
real threat. And against a real threat, we need a real defence to protect our
populations effectively.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press Conference after the first session of the
North Atlantic Council in Heads of State and Government format, 20 May 2012
“In Lisbon, we agreed to create a NATO missile defence system. Today, in Chicago,
we have declared that a reality.
We call this an Interim Capability. It is the first step towards our long-term goal of
providing full coverage and protection for all NATO European populations, territory
and forces. Our system will link together missile defence assets from different Allies
– satellites, ships, radars and interceptors – under NATO command and control. It
will allow us to defend against threats from outside the Euro-Atlantic area.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press Conference after the first session of the
North Atlantic Council in Heads of State and Government format, 20 May 2012
“In Lisbon we agreed to build a missile defence system to protect NATO’s European
populations, territory and forces against a grave and growing threat. In Chicago, we
will declare an interim capability. This is only a first step, but it is significant.”
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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press conference, 11 May 2012
“Key to our future capabilities is missile defence. Only 16 months have passed since
we took the historic decision at the Lisbon Summit to develop a capability to protect
NATO populations, territory and forces against missile attacks. At Chicago, our
ambition is to declare an interim missile defence capability.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen,Press Conference following the North Atlantic
Council Meeting in Defence Ministers Session - Opening statement, 18 Apr. 2012
Nuclear Policy
“Premièrement, nous sommes déterminés à créer les conditions d'un monde sans
armes nucléaires. En fait, la plupart des pays du monde ont déjà signé cet objectif
dans le Traité sur la non-prolifération des armes nucléaires il y a 40 ans en 1970.
C'est mon premier point.
Deuxièmement, aussi longtemps qu'il y aura des armes nucléaires, l'OTAN restera
une alliance nucléaire. Et la dissuasion demeure un élément central de notre
stratégie.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 11 Oct. 2010
New Strategic Concept
“Finally, of course, the geopolitical landscape will continue to change. The strategic
centre of gravity is shifting from Europe to Asia. The United States is already
adjusting to this reality. Europe cannot and should not insulate itself from this
development.”
Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, NATO Deputy Secretary General at the 48th Annual Security
Conference of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee, Oslo, Norway, 11 Feb. 2013
“At our last NATO Summit in Lisbon in 2010, we agreed a new Strategic Concept – a
Strategic Concept which sets out how we should do this during this decade and
beyond. The Strategic Concept identifies three core tasks of Collective Defence,
Crisis Management, and Cooperative Security.
Collective Defence means NATO Allies will always assist each other against attack.
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Crisis Management means NATO helping to manage the full range of crises –
before, during, and after they occur - where that contributes to Euro-Atlantic security.
And Cooperative Security means that the Alliance will engage actively to enhance
international security. Through partnership with other nations and international
organisations.
It is by carrying out these three tasks effectively that we will be able to continue
safeguarding our security and values. And fulfilling our shared purpose.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech on ''NATO 2020 -- Shared leadership for
a shared future'' at the Brussels Forum, 23 Mar. 2012
“Our Strategic Concept is our plan for the future. It lays out what we want to achieve.
It describes the threats we face. It explains how we will deal with those threats. And
it identifies the political and military tools we need to do that.
Our new strategy re-confirms that the security of each NATO Ally is directly linked to
that of all the others. And it reassures all Allies regarding the defence of their territory
and populations against attack. Because it reiterates the firm and binding
commitment of all Allies to Article 5, the collective defence clause of NATO’s
founding treaty.
Our new strategy also makes clear that we face a broad and evolving set of risks
and threats to our security. Today, defending against a territorial attack within
Europe may be among the least likely things NATO will need to do. But all 28 Allies
agree that being prepared for such an eventuality – including by patrolling, training
and exercising – is the best way to keep it like that.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech in Tallinn, Estonia, 19 Jan. 2012
NATO Transformation
“We have set out a vision for NATO Command and Force structures which - as I
previously mentioned - must be capable, interoperable and also able to operate
together with partners to meet the full spectrum of future challenges. To achieve this,
we are undertaking a number of activities, including the development of a roadmap
to transformation. For instance, we are considering ways to focus the NATO exercise
programme on capability development. In preparation for this, we will adjust the
exercises planned for 2014 to concentrate on the Connected Forces Initiative, so
that is fully implemented by 2015. This is the initiative which will improve
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interoperability of our forces through military education and training, to include our
partners.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 17 Jan 2013
“En outre, l’Alliance dispose désormais d’une nouvelle structure de commandement,
potentiellement capable de jouer le rôle de catalyseur pour le développement de la
standardisation, de l’interopérabilité et de la performance des forces des pays
membres de l’Alliance comme de nos partenaires. Ce potentiel ne pourra toutefois
pleinement s’exprimer sans un engagement durable des Nations se concrétisant par
une structure de commandement entraînée, évaluée et dont tous les postes sont
honorés. “
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Opening Remarks at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 16 Jan 2013
“Ce qui est certain aujourd’hui, c’est que nous avons au sein de l’Alliance Atlantique,
28 pays qui partagent les mêmes valeurs, qui se sont engagés sur une mission de
défense collective, vis-à-vis de ces valeurs collectives, qui se sont engagés pour
intervenir dans des crises si la communauté internationale le demande, qui se sont
engagés pour la sécurité coopérative avec de nombreux partenaires.
L’Alliance Atlantique a un pouvoir d’attraction considérable, je crois que c’est lié à
ses valeurs, à ses capacités de prévention et de protection des pays qui en sont
membres.”
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Interview with France 24,
18 Dec. 2012
“One of NATO’s most potent tools is our Open Door policy. (...)
We reconfirmed our continued commitment to the Open Door policy. We stressed
our determination to continue helping these countries move closer to achieving their
aspirations.
(...)
Our door remains open. We want a credible open-door policy which on the one hand
means that we will not compromise on criteria for joining the Alliance. We want to
make sure that countries that aspire to become members of NATO also fulfil the
necessary criteria before they actually join our Alliance.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference following the North Atlantic
Council meeting in Foreign Ministers session, 04 Dec. 2012
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“But, if NATO remains the world’s indispensable Alliance it is only because these
values are supported by unparalleled military capabilities. The organization has to
prove that it will remain able to confront an uncertain future and adapt to emerging
threats. It is a priority to preserve and develop Alliance capabilities and effective
solutions for the future as NATO will likely face the tricky combination of a decrease
in operational tempo, with the end of the operations in Afghanistan in the coming
years, and an enduring fiscal crisis.
(...)
Our Alliance, with its New Strategic Concept and its new command structure,
adopted in Lisbon in 2010, is ready to face the future. But we must remember that
building capabilities that are both fit for purpose and provide lasting values requires
deep strategic foresight, research and an understanding of the future operating
environment. We must ensure that NATO will remain a preeminent, powerful and
efficient military organization well into the future by also exploring what our operating
and security environments might look like in the long term.”
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Foreword in Defence
Global Magazine, Nov. 2012
“NATO was created more than sixty years ago. But the Alliance is busier than ever
before. And as relevant to our security today as ever before. NATO first helped to
keep the Cold War from getting hot. We then helped freedom, democracy, and
prosperity to spread across the entire Euro-Atlantic region, by extending our hand of
friendship and cooperation, and opening our door to new members. And the Alliance
is changing again now in response to an entirely new range of challenges to our
security.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO and Finland: building security together in
the 21st century in Helsinki, Finland, 15 Nov. 2012
“NATO must continue to provide the framework and be a catalyst for multinational
projects, wherever nations wish it, but also to serve as a promoter of coherence and
a source of strategic advice, to help inform national decision making.”
Former Supreme Allies Commander Transformation General Stéphane Abrial, Press briefing, 12 Sep.
2012
“NATO’s door will not open automatically simply because you stand in front of it.
Countries that aspire to membership must demonstrate political commitment. A
track record of reform and responsibility. And a new resolve to settle old disputes.”
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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech on “Keeping NATO’s door open” at the
Croatia Summit, 06 Jul. 2012
“How can the Trans-Atlantic community keep its global power of attraction and
influence? And as the world shifts, how do we embrace that shift and help shape it?
My message today is that NATO will be a key part of the answer. In this time of
uncertainty, a strong NATO is a source of confidence. It is an essential contributor to
wider international security and stability. It means we can face today’s challenges
from a position of strength.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at Chatham House, London, 04 Jul.
2012
“The good news is that our governments have reaffirmed their determination to not
let the economic crisis turn into a security crisis. If you read the new Strategic
Concept approved in Lisbon, you will notice that the need to adequately resource our
security and defence policies is affirmed not once, but twice. The going will be tough
in the coming years, but the Alliance is not retreating.”
“It cannot, however, afford to be complacent, and NATO is determined to be part of
the solution, not part of the problem.”
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General S. Abrial, SACT intervention
before the French-American Chamber of Commerce, “The Transformation of NATO:Perspectives for
the Transatlantic Defense Industry”, March 16, 2011
“The NATO Command Structure is one of the key transformation decisions as to the
future of NATO, and which, of course, is a difficult issue to tackle because it implies
substantial reduction. But it also should lead to a more lean and more robust and
particularly a more flexible command structure, which is adapted to operations which
we can expect in the future, whichever they are.”
(...)
“The NATO Command Structure is not only adapting according to the guidance
which has been provided last year by the Minister of Defence, but also takes on
board the experience we have from what we have experienced recently over Libya.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 19 Jan. 2012
Smart Defence/New Capabilities
“The Connected Forces Initiative is based on a fundamental point which is that
recent operations – in Afghanistan, Libya and elsewhere – show that our military
Edition: 10 April 2013
45
effectiveness, that of the Alliance and of the countries that make up the Alliance, is
based on demanding, quality training, diversified training, qualifying exercises that
promote interoperability, the ability to work together, to produce an effect and to
come up with options for political or military decisions depending on the
circumstances. (…) The Connected Forces Initiative hopes to capitalise on this
Alliance force in order to prepare for the future and to face up to future threats.
(...)
We shall try to diversify the exercises in order to bring the best out of every level,
from the very strategic level, if possible by even including a political level given that
one can see how important this is in the management of contemporary crises, and
then gradually working down to the level of the military staffs, in the NATO command
structure, with this new structure that has been reorganised very recently.
(…)
There is a new command structure (…). It must be trained on how to command and
control the forces that come from the Alliance countries, with a selection that must,
as I said a moment ago, be very qualitative.
(…)
It is a matter of doing better with more or less the same resources and it is thought
that this is possible through better organisation of activities foreseen by the nations
today. Therefore, it is obviously essential to have interaction between the nations.
The Connected Forces Initiative can only work properly if the nations play their part.
(...)
The NRF is therefore a tool that must allow NATO to have a response capability that
is visible and effective, to allow each of the countries to fix planning objectives. This
was also one of the main benefits of the NRF in past years, in order to come into line
with the standards required for taking part in the NRF (…). It is also a tool that
allows testing of new concepts, new equipments, in partnership also with industry –
which is a very important area – to try to integrate ideas, the products of our
industries in conducting our operations.
(...)
The level of ambition was fixed in Lisbon and Chicago. It is ambitious but there it is.
One can set oneself a course and compare the state of force preparedness to that
objective. And it is necessary, as is done regularly, to account for the state of force
preparedness and capability deficits, in order to overcome deficiencies or to make
necessary changes. This is done at the highest political level, as it is also that level
which decides what resources will be allocated to defence. That is a circle that can
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be virtuous but which can also be less virtuous if decisions are essentially taken
under a budgetary angle, which one needs to prevent at all cost even when one is
aware of being up against financial difficulties.
(...)
Smart Defence was launched two years ago. Given the detailed preparation
required by large projects, we should remain modest in calendar terms. But the
foundations have been laid. And that is what gives us hope. (…) It has taken time
and constancy to construct all major projects. (…) Nonetheless, I personally consider
that the small steps we are taking are very important when it comes to establishing
mutual trust.”
General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), Interview in
Europe Diplomacy Defence, April 2013
“Alliance nations must give priority to those capabilities which NATO needs most,
and looking for a multinational solution to common problems. In times of austerity,
opportunities for linking national and NATO exercises must be further explored and
exploited in order to maximize efficiency against resources.
(...)
The NATO Response Force is a flagship for NATO's responsiveness and, together
with a revitalized Training and Exercise Concept, will serve as the main engine to
connect forces. When we disengage our combat forces from Afghanistan they do not
merely go home and remain passive. We need to train to maintain skills and that is
done through efficient exercises.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Meeting with the Spanish Chief of
Defence, Admiral Fernando García Sánchez, Madrid, 15 Mar. 2013
“We need to focus on making the most of the resources we do have, even more so
in this time of austerity. Smart Defence can compensate for economic hard times.
(...)
We need to push forward initiatives that make NATO leaner, more connected and
smarter. The Connected Forces Initiative - through the NATO Response Force - will
be pivotal to this end. Only through training together we can improve common
doctrine and interoperability, the key to develop truly connected forces."
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Meeting with the Portuguese Chief of
General Staff, General Luís Araújo, Lisbon, 28 Feb. 2013
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“I do realise that governments are faced with economic challenges and I also realise
the security sector, that defence can’t be exempted from the efforts to get the fiscal
house in order. But having said that, it is a matter of concern to see the declining
defence budgets.
It’s my assessment that if defence cuts continue it will have a negative impact on our
ability to provide effective defence and protection of our populations. So my appeal
to governments is firstly hold the line, stop the cuts. Secondly make more efficient
use of the resources you do have through more multinational cooperation and thirdly
once the economies recover, start to increase defence investments again.”
NATO Secretary General’s doorstep statement at the start of the NATO Defence Ministers meeting,
21 Feb. 2013
“We will answer that challenge with what we call the Connected Forces Initiative:
expanding our education and training, and enhancing our exercises.
Today we took an important step forward in that initiative. We agreed on its goals,
and asked our military experts to come up with concrete proposals on how to put
them into practice.
Our vision is this: more ambitious exercises, with a broader range of scenarios, more
often.
The initiative will include a comprehensive training plan out to 2020, to make sure
that our exercises are coherent, comprehensive, and cover the full range of Alliance
missions.
It will include, in 2015, a major live exercise – that is, one involving significant
numbers of deployed forces, not just command and staff units.
(...)
So today, we also agreed that the NATO Response Force will be at the core of our
Connected Forces Initiative.
(...)
On the NATO defence planning process, we have agreed to make the whole process
more transparent, more synchronised with national defence planning, in general,
more efficient and responsive to what might be the future requirements when it
comes to military capabilities.
(...)
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Multi-international cooperation and SMART Defence are an important part of the
response to economic austerity. No doubt that we can save money if we join efforts,
if we pool and share resources, if we go for multinational... more multinational
cooperation. But obviously, there's also a limit as to how much we can achieve that
way. And this is a reason why more multinational cooperation doesn't solve all our
problems and is not a response to all our challenges.
We also need a sufficient level of defence investment. And that's my major concern
that if cuts continue it will damage severely our ability to meet and address the future
security challenges.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen following the NATO Defence Ministers meeting,
21 Feb. 2013
“We could also take another close look at nations specializing in specific areas.
Today, this is mostly happening by default. Cost-cutting is forcing some Allies to opt
out of certain capabilities entirely, without any prior coordination with other Allies or
NATO force planners. In the future, if we can encourage specialisation by design,
we can not only avoid creating new gaps, but also promote a more rational division
of labor.
Finally, one other “smart” way for smaller nations to get more out of their individual
defence efforts is by working together in regional groupings. Here, your own country
has considerable experience, working together with neighbours with whom you
share not only geography, but also values, culture and language.”
Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, NATO Deputy Secretary General at the 48th Annual Security
Conference of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee, Oslo, Norway, 11 Feb. 2013
“We are very much focusing on the crucial needs and we try to address that as best
as possible trying to find the best solutions and opening as much as possible the
doors for multinational cooperation including partners when it is feasible.
On Smart Defence, today we have almost 25 to 30 projects which are really ready to
take off; apart that we have to release the brakes and this is the responsibility of
nations. We are here to help, to propose initiatives, solutions but at the end the
leader nations must take their responsibility.
I’m fully convinced that both “pooling and sharing” and Smart Defence are the real
catalysts for a transatlantic cooperation and we have to share not only the burden,
but also the duty which is more promising.”
General Paloméros, Munich Security Conference, Munich, 2 Feb 2013.
“We will also need forces with the skills and speed to act decisively. I see a vital role
for NATO’s new Special Operations Forces Headquarters in planning and
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coordinating missions. And in improving the capability of our special operations
forces to work together.
(...)
Now, we need to reinvest the ISAF dividend in defence. And get the maximum
return from it, including through NATO’s Connected Forces and Smart Defence
initiatives.
(...)
For example, through Smart Defence, we are fielding a new Alliance hub for
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, to provide political and military
decisions makers with more accurate and up-to-date information. Our lessons
learned from Afghanistan and Libya have shown how crucial such a hub will be for
any future operation.”
''NATO after ISAF – Staying Successful Together'' - Remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders
Fogh Rasmussen at the Munich Security Conference, 02 Feb. 2013
“Aujourd’hui, l’Alliance se trouve confrontée à la fois aux conséquences d’une
réduction probable du rythme opérationnel post-Afghanistan - qu'il faudra mettre à
profit pour régénérer nos forces et les préparer à de nouveaux engagements sans
doute très différents - et à la rigueur budgétaire. Dans ce contexte, pour conserver
son efficacité et sa pertinence, l’Alliance doit continuer à s’adapter. C’est sans doute
le moment de rééquilibrer nos efforts au profit de la préparation de l’avenir sans rien
perdre de notre réactivité opérationnelle.”
(…)
“La mission de mon commandement, ACT, est de garantir la préparation et
l’adaptation des forces de l’Alliance aux menaces d’aujourd’hui et de demain. Mes
deux principales priorités rejoignent donc logiquement cet impératif : comment
renforcer ou au moins maintenir le degré d’interopérabilité obtenu ces dernières
années lors des opérations et comment rationnaliser et optimiser le processus de
planification et de défense?”
(…)
“… j’ai fait des propositions pour dynamiser la force de réaction rapide (NRF - NATO
Response Force) de l’OTAN qui a été créée il y a dix ans. C’est, selon moi, un outil
formidable qui peut être vu comme un laboratoire pour l’initiative CFI. De multiples
options sont sur la table, avec des implications financières variables, mettant l’accent
sur l’amélioration de la NRF comme outil d’emploi et comme outil de transformation.
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Dans ce cadre, je pense qu’une ouverture à l’Europe de la Défense est possible
pour atteindre une meilleure synergie entre les deux organisations.”
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Interview with Défense
Sécurité Internationale, February 2013
“Most Allies have significantly improved their ability to deploy and sustain forces in
recent years. Overall, NATO investment in major modern equipment has risen.
(...)
However, defence spending among Allies is increasingly uneven. Not just between
North America and Europe, but also among European Allies. And while total defence
spending by the Allies in recent years has been going down, the defence spending of
emerging powers has been going up.
(...)
Of course, governments must reduce deficits and borrowing. Sound fiscal policy is
also sound security policy. Our security rests on our prosperity: you can’t be safe if
you’re broke.
But in turn, our prosperity rests on our security. And we have to invest to keep our
societies safe. Because security threats won’t go away while we focus on fixing our
economies.
(...)
Q: Yes, Brooks Tigner, Jane's Defence. I want to come back to your opening
remarks about the economic implications for NATO. It's pretty clear that defence
budgets are still sliding. And they're going to continue to slide for the foreseeable
future in many of the Allies. So I'm wondering: should NATO's defence planning take
that into account? After all, it would be irresponsible for the Alliance not to do
contingency planning, based on reduced capabilities in the future. Thank you.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Obviously, realities when it comes to defence budgets will
be included in our defence planning. Our defence planning is about ensuring that
overall we have the capacities we need to address the security challenges of today
and live up to our level of ambition. So we will take into account the decreasing
defence budgets. And we have taken action to address this challenge. We have
launched the concept of SMART defence which is about more efficient use of our
resources through more multinational cooperation. And I think it becomes
increasingly clear that the only way we can ensure the necessary military capabilities
in the future will be through enhanced multinational cooperation.
Only a very few, at the end of the day maybe only one Ally, will be able to acquire
advanced and very expensive military equipment on their own. But through
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51
multinational cooperation, through collective efforts we will be able to field the gaps;
build up the capacity when it comes to air-to-air refuelling in particular among
European Allies; strengthen our capacity when it comes to intelligence surveillance
reconnaissance; strengthen our airlift capacity. All that is extremely expensive. And
for many Allies it is out of the question to acquire such capabilities on their own. But
in a collective effort, through SMART defence projects we can. So this is not just
about how much we spend on defence but it is also about how we spend. We have
to spend it in a smarter way. But I have taken the opportunity in this year's annual
report to also convey the message that while we can achieve a lot through
multinational cooperation and more efficient use of resources, we also need a
sufficient input, a sufficient investment in the much- needed military capabilities.
There is a lower limit as to how little we can spend on defence and still live up to our
obligations.
(...)
But let me, in more general terms, stress the need for multinational cooperation also
when it comes to acquisition of new military equipment. It goes without saying that
you can achieve what economists call ‘economies of scale’ if you join efforts in the
acquisition process. So when Allies are going to take decisions in the coming years
on acquisition of new military equipment I think they should also consider how that
could be done in an efficient manner through joint efforts through multinational
cooperation.
(...)
On the one hand I caution against too deep cuts in defence budgets. On the other
hand, I also emphasize the positive news that despite the economic austerity,
nations have stayed committed to deployment in international operations, stayed
committed to reforms and transformation of their armed forces, and we have overall
seen more deployability, more flexibility, more mobility of NATO nations' armed
forces.”
Secretary General’s Monthly Press Conference and launch of the Annual Report for 2012, 31 Jan.
2013
“Today, European Allies are involved in each of the 24 multinational ‘Smart Defence’
projects that we have agreed in NATO to improve our capabilities while getting “more
bang for the Euro.” Europeans, in fact, are leading two-thirds of these projects.
European Allies are also making important contributions to NATO’s fledgling missile
defence system – and we expect to see further contributions in the future. At the
same time, European nations are also making progress in the EU framework with
complementary pooling-and-sharing initiatives.”
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''Meeting Today's Security Challenges'' - Introductory remarks by Ambassador Alexander Vershbow,
NATO Deputy Secretary General at the ‘Munich Security Conference Kick-Off' - Berlin Germany, 21
Jan. 2013
“I recognise that the global financial and economic crisis has limited our defence
spending. Even more reason, therefore, to achieve the best results with what we
have. And this is, of course, the basic principle of NATO Smart Defence: working on
multinational solutions to bring costs down, but keeping capabilities strong. Emerging
security challenges have no boundaries and we need to be ready to deter and
defend our countries against any threat. Revitalizing the NATO Response Force will
be crucial to this endeavour.
(...)
...I believe the NATO Response Force is the perfect platform to develop and refine
common doctrines and bring transformation forward. It plays two important roles:
firstly, it provides us with a strong and flexible force; and secondly, it gives vital
training in operating and working together. And here I think we have very good
opportunities to enhance connectivity within the Alliance and with those partners who
want to participate.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 17 Jan 2013
“At the Strategic level, the continuing economic crisis and associated austerity
measures are impacting on national defence investment and as such may present a
risk to NATO Capability delivery. This at a time when the rapid evolution of world
events continues to challenge our ability to predict, prepare for and address
emerging strategic security threats. We must therefore continue to work
collaboratively, to deliver military capability more rapidly, more effectively and more
economically. To do this we will need a fresh approach and commitment from
politicians, the military and industry to work together across national boundaries to
embrace the principles of Smart Defence for acquisition and through life support.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Opening Remarks at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 16 Jan 2013
“In the coming years, with our so called "Connected Forces Initiative", we will be
placing even greater emphasis on military education and training, including with our
partners. We will also be looking to enhance the role of the NATO Response Force
as part of our future exercise programme. And here as well, I see considerable
scope for greater cooperation between NATO and active partners such as Sweden.”
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NATO and Sweden: Strong Partners in support of the United Nations - Speech by NATO Secretary
General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Sälen, Sweden, 14 Jan. 2013
“The nations are more sensible than ever to the overall environment in which we live,
including those evolutions of the threats and the risk and on the other hand the
pressure of the budget. The more you see, and this is my perception as a new
commander, a will from the nations to cooperate together and to build, and to use
the NATO planning process as being their own tool, because they have decided the
targets, they have decided what the objectives are in terms of capabilities and now
they find more and more that they can use this NATO planning process as a real tool
for coherency.”
Press briefing with General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation
(SACT), 14 Jan. 2013
“Ma deuxième priorité porte sur le développement cohérent des capacités de
l’Alliance. Au travers du processus de planification, qui est bien connu, de l’Alliance,
le NATO Defence Planning Process, qui est un processus collectif qui part du niveau
d’ambition, qui décline ce niveau d’ambition en objectifs capacitaires, qui sont
ensuite répartis entre les différents pays de l’Alliance. Ça c’est une priorité, puisque
c’est ce qui permet de conserver la cohérence du développement des capacités de
l’Alliance face à l’environnement tel que je l’ai décrit tout à l’heure et en particulier
face aux évolutions des risques et des menaces et face aux évolutions
économiques. C’est vraiment le ciment, la ligne directrice que nous devons garder.“
Press briefing with General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation
(SACT), 14 Jan. 2013
“Nous essayons de créer une dynamique de projets concrets de l’OTAN, la Smart
Defense –défense plus intelligente- qui permet aux pays de travailler mieux
ensembles, de développer les capacités multinationales là où par le passé on aurait
eu tendance à avoir des réponses plus nationales, à mettre en commun des moyens
là où c’est possible et nécessaire, dans des logiques aussi de proximité
géographique. Il est clair que la réduction des budgets de défense n’est pas
forcément une bonne nouvelle pour nous mais nous essayons de faire face avec
plus d’intelligence si possible, plus de coopération en essayant de bien identifier les
menaces majeures, les facteurs futurs.”
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Interview with France 24,
18 Dec. 2012
“Smart Defence promotes multinational cooperation, not as a way to cut defence
spending but to compensate for increasing pressure on nations’ defence budgets. It
is about spending better, together as an Alliance by facilitating the development,
acquisition and deployment of military capabilities.
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(...)
NATO also needs to guarantee continued interoperability between national forces
and to promote the intellectual and technical flexibility needed to face any future
strategic surprise together. As we look ahead to the post- Afghanistan period the
Connected Forces Initiative is intended to be the framework for unified efforts to
make sure our forces are optimised for working collectively, particularly building upon
the strong coherence that they have achieved through a decade of continuous
operations.”
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Foreword in Defence
Global Magazine, Nov. 2012
“But Smart Defence is not just for Allies – it can also bring real benefits for partners.
A perfect example is our Strategic Airlift Capability. Finland, together with Sweden
and ten NATO Allies, operate three C-17 strategic transport aircraft based in
Hungary. You are also working with Nordic NATO Allies and partners to establish a
deployable joint multinational headquarters in Germany. And to develop a system
that will help to protect our harbours. These are all concrete examples of Smart
Defence in action.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO and Finland: building security together in
the 21st century in Helsinki, Finland, 15 Nov. 2012
“It’s a fact that the economic crisis has hit our defence spending hard. Compared to
2009, total Allied defence expenditure last year declined by over 56 billion US dollars
in real terms. In Europe, six Allies actually increased defence spending last year
compared with 2009. But it was not by a large amount. And it was outweighed by the
deep cuts made by the other nineteen Allies.
Among the European Allies, only two devoted more than 2% of their Gross Domestic
Product to defence last year. Four devoted less than 1%. The United States, too, has
just started to reduce its defence spending. And more cuts are in the pipeline.
This is worrying. And the statistics reveal another worrying trend. Since 1991, the
non-US share of NATO’s defence spending has fallen from 35% to 23% today. This
growing transatlantic gap is unsustainable. It undermines the Alliance principle of
solidarity.
(...)
By some estimates, defence spending in Asia has doubled this past decade and this
year it will overtake defence spending in NATO’s European Allies for the first time.
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By 2015, China will outspend the eight major NATO European Allies combined. And
Russia intends to double its defence budget from 3% to 6% of Gross Domestic
Product within the next 10 years.
(...)
First, the deep cuts in some European defence budgets will create a gap within
Europe itself. Many Allies here will find it increasingly difficult to acquire the
necessary defence capabilities.
(...)
Second, the growing gap in transatlantic defence spending risks weakening United
States support for the Alliance.
(...)
And third, the rise of emerging powers will create a gap between their ability to act,
and ours.
(...)
We have our roadmap. At our Summit in Chicago in May, we set ourselves the goal
of “NATO Forces 2020” – forces that are more capable, more compatible, and more
complementary. And we can get there through Smart Defence and the Connected
Forces Initiative – if we back them up with the necessary political willpower.
Smart Defence is a new guiding principle for capability development. By joining
together to acquire capabilities, nations will be able to afford what they cannot do
alone. It is about greater resource efficiency and doing better with what we have.
This is not an excuse to do less with less. The key to Smart Defence is greater
prioritisation, specialisation and, most importantly, multinational cooperation.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Keynote speech at the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly in Prague, 12 Nov. 2012
“So we must maintain the security on which our economic prosperity rests. And we
must ensure the financial crisis does not turn into a security crisis.
(...)
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At Chicago we also embraced the concept of Smart Defence. This is all about
multinational cooperation. Allies working together to deliver capabilities that would be
too expensive for any of them to deliver alone. It is about agreeing what we may cut
from our defence, while also agreeing what we need to keep, so we can meet the
Alliance's strategic goals today AND tomorrow.
There is a clear role here for our defence and security industry. Let me share with
you my views.
So far, industry appears to have been rather sceptical of Smart Defence. There are
worries that it will lead to fewer and smaller contracts.
But let me be clear: there is only one alternative – and that is no contract at all.
So there is a clear incentive to look for multinational solutions. And I do not just
mean in equipment development and procurement.
If we also cooperate more closely in areas such as logistics and communications, we
can improve our capability in those vital areas. And at the same time we can free up
resources for other activities, including for acquisition. So I see Smart Defence as an
opportunity for Industry – at both sides of the Atlantic.
Smart Defence is not just a slogan. It is the only way to ensure we have the
necessary capabilities for our Alliance to do its job. And for us to do that job properly
we need better cooperation WITH defence industry – and we need better
cooperation WITHIN defence industry.
(...)
And we want to give industry maximum transparency throughout our NATO Defence
Planning Process.
This should help defence industry develop capabilities that are more flexible by
design. Capabilities that can be adapted to multiple operational requirements. And
capabilities that can be modified or upgraded by integrating new technology when
that becomes available.
(...)
Of course, for Smart Defence projects, participating Nations would retain full control
on their acquisition strategy. But they would be able to take their decisions with the
best possible knowledge and insight into what industry has to offer.
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Finally, I believe there is a need to promote greater participation by small and
medium-sized enterprises, in particular in NATO countries with a limited defence
industrial capability. The question is: How can we encourage this? Perhaps NATO
could help by offering certain incentives. I am sure there are many other ways too.
NATO Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Video tele-conference message for the NATO Industry
Day 2012 in Riga, Latvia, 15 Oct. 2012
“When defining future capabilities, we need to start with the future operating
environment and review the challenges our military forces will face. The good news
is that our nations’ awareness of these issues has grown substantively over the past
few years, with the publication of a series of national defence strategic reviews and
white papers. ACT has taken its full part in this strategic thinking.
(...)
The growing complexity in defining our military capability requirements and in
combining them with and affordable industrial offer.
One way to fulfil some Alliance requirements is to promote multilateral co-operation,
through the Smart Defence Initiative, in close coordination with partner nations and
the European Union, within the agreed framework in line with our Chicago Summit
decisions.”
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Jean-Paul Paloméros, NATO Industry Day 2012
in Riga, Latvia, 15 Oct. 2012
“NATO nations need to continue investing in defence. There is no alternative. We
recognise it may be hard to find fresh resources for defence while nations take the
necessary steps to reduce their deficits and debts. But we must not overlook that
security is the foundation of prosperity.
The key to overcoming this apparent dilemma is closer cooperation. More
multinational teamwork can help us spend our scarce resources more effectively.
(...)
Put simply, we need to ensure that each Ally gets the best return from its spending
on defence and security – and that NATO remains the most modern, most capable
and most effective Alliance in the world.”
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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Opening remarks at the North Atlantic Council
meeting in Defence Ministers session, 09 Oct. 2012
“And we need to be clear: once our economies recover, we must increase our
investment in defence once again. Because security is the basis of prosperity. Some
argue that we cannot afford it. But I say that we cannot afford to be without it.
(...)
And we need to be clear: once our economies recover, we must increase our
investment in defence once again. Because security is the basis of prosperity. Some
argue that we cannot afford it. But I say that we cannot afford to be without it.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Doorstep statement, 09 Oct. 2012
“In Chicago, we agreed on the principle of Smart Defence: countries working
together to develop and maintain capabilities which they would not be able to afford
alone.
(...) we put that principle into practice by approving a list of more than 20
multinational projects which will give Allies more capabilities, more effectively.
Allies have agreed on two more projects which they are ready to put into effect.
This is an effort which reaches across the Alliance. It is one in which every Ally, large
and small, is involved. And it is one in which European Allies are playing a central
role.
European countries are involved in every one of the 24 projects we have set in
motion so far. They are leading two-thirds of them. And one-third are purely
European in terms of participation.
This is crucial. Because it shows that European Allies are aware of their
responsibilities and are actively looking for ways to improve their capabilities, even in
this time of economic austerity. I welcome this.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference, 09 Oct. 2012
“And smart defence has really got momentum. Since Chicago, we have already
brought two more projects to a stage where Allies can put them into practice. I
expect around 10 more to be added in the coming months. And there are around 100
other projects which are under consideration.”
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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 01 Oct. 2012
“We all know how hard it is to find fresh funds for defence under current
circumstances. This means that if we want to make our forces more capable, more
compatible, and more complementary, then we are going to have to make smarter
use of the money we are able to spend on security.
With Smart Defence, we are successfully changing the mind-set. Cooperation should
be the cases, with the advice, and support, they need to pursue multinational
cooperation initiatives. And we must do this while respecting the balance between
solidarity and sovereignty.
(...)
Simulation and networking will offer new and cost-effective ways of sustaining, and
improving, our operational effectiveness. Our Connected Forces Initiative needs to
bring all these strands together, and look for other innovative ways of doing what we
do.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Remarks at the change of command ceremony
Allies Command Transformation, 28 Sep. 2012
“We need capabilities that are flexible, deployable, and technologically advanced to
meet both traditional and non-traditional threats.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General of NATO Amb. Alexander Vershbow, 7th Annual Riga Conference,
15 Sep. 2012
“The third area for cluster cooperation is Smart Defence. There is scope not just for
NATO and partner nations, but also for NATO and the European Union to work more
closely together on multinational capability projects. We can both learn from each
other’s initiatives. And the cluster approach will help to focus our efforts and get the
most out of our resources.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at Chatham House, London, 04 Jul.
2012
“Our second main theme in Chicago was capabilities. All of our nations face a host
of new, complex security challenges – terrorism, proliferation, cyber crime, to name
but a few. There is a strong realisation across the Alliance that these new
challenges require new capabilities. The economic crisis of the past few years
however has made it difficult to acquire those modern, and often expensive
capabilities. And so, the Allied leaders agreed that we need a fresh approach to
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balance our resources and our requirements, so that NATO can continue to play its
essential role at the core of the Euro-Atlantic security system.
In Chicago we agreed to implement a renewed culture of cooperation – in which
nations will be working together to deliver capabilities that would be too expensive
for any of them to deliver alone. This is what we call Smart Defence.
To give substance to Smart Defence, the Chicago Summit approved a concrete
package of more than 20 multinational projects and more in preparation. These
projects all show that we are learning the lessons from our operations – in particular
regarding better surveillance, better protection, better logistics and better
maintenance.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow at the “Georgia Defence and
Security Conference” in Batumi, Georgia, 29 Jun. 2012
“Il n'y a pas une crise financière au sein de l'OTAN. Évidemment, il y a un défi
économique. Mais je pense que nous avons trouvé une réponse à cette question au
Sommet de Chicago. Et cette solution s'appelle la défense intelligente. Nous allons
promouvoir la coopération multilatérale. Et nous avons, comme vous le savez, nous
avons adopté un nombre... des projets concrets multinationaux. Et c'est une réponse
très convaincante. C'est la voie à suivre pour éviter que la crise financière sera une
crise de sécurité. Donc, il n'y a pas une crise financière au sein de l'OTAN; mais un
défi économique. Et nous avons trouvé une solution.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 04 Jun. 2012
“We will adopt a concrete package of multinational projects which can provide
greater security for all our citizens at lower cost. We will embrace a renewed culture
of cooperation, which we call Smart Defence.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Doorstep statement at the beginning of the
Summit meetings of Heads of State and Government in Chicago, 20 May. 2012
“Smart Defence means spending smartly on what we need. And it also means not
duplicating. That is why we welcome the efforts in the framework of the EU to
address the European shortfall in air to air refueling.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press Conference after the first session of the
North Atlantic Council in Heads of State and Government format, 20 May 2012
“Multinational harmonization of this scale is undoubtedly a challenge, since defense
is tightly bound with national sovereignty. Nonetheless, it is incumbent on my
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command and all NATO structures to implement the political commitments that will
be taken at Chicago and put the Alliance firmly on this new path to capabilities
development. The result will be a more cohesive and stronger trans-Atlantic
alliance, adapted to the 21st century.”
Former Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) General Stéphane Abrial, NATO in Time
of Austerity, The Herald Tribune, 17 May 2012
“Il est indispensable que la volonté de défense se maintienne et se traduise par un
effort suffisant. Même s’il y a des disparités, il y a peu de pays qui respectent la
norme des 2% du PIB qui devraient être consacrés à la défense. Certains pays
connaissent des coupes drastiques dans leur budget et font des choix qui les
engagent pour de longues années. Ils risquent de perdre des savoir-faire qui seront
long et coûteux à reconstruire, car la construction et l’adaptation d’un outil de
défense se bâtit dans la durée. Pour garantir la sécurité de nos concitoyens, il est
indispensable que la volonté de défense se manifeste dans chaque pays, se
rationalise au niveau de l’Alliance et se traduise dans les faits avant que l’Histoire ne
nous en rappelle cruellement le besoin.
(..)
La question qui se pose est comment conserver le niveau d’ambition affiché par
l’Alliance malgré la crise économique et la tentation des gouvernements de réduire
les budgets de défense. Il faut donc trouver des solutions alternatives, explorer de
nouvelles voies. C’est le sens de l’initiative « Smart Defense » ou « Défense
Intelligente » lancée il y a un peu plus d’un an.
(..)
La « Défense intelligente » se concentre sur les priorités les plus importantes, elle
permet d’approfondir la coordination entre alliés dans des domaines spécialisés, de
renforcer la coopération en matière de projets multinationaux, de relancer la réforme
interne de l’OTAN, et elle recherche une nouvelle relation avec les industriels pour
encourager les innovations et la complémentarité entre l’OTAN et l’Union
européenne.“
Former Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) General Stéphane, Sommet de Chicago
2012, Politique Internationale, May 2012
“Notre réunion se déroule dans le contexte de la plus grave crise financière de
mémoire d’homme. Dans bon nombre de nos pays, les budgets de défense sont
donc sous pression. Il nous faut dès lors nous préparer à relever les défis de
sécurité de demain tout en faisant face à la réalité économique d’aujourd’hui.
Nous devons faire en sorte que l’Alliance dispose des capacités militaires dont elle
aura besoin pendant et après cette décennie pour accomplir ses tâches essentielles
de défense collective, de gestion des crises et de sécurité. C’est là l’objectif que
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nous nous sommes fixé pour Chicago, et qui s’intitule : « Les forces de l’OTAN à
l’horizon 2020“.
(…)
“What we call “Smart Defence” is at the heart of this new approach. It is an
opportunity for a renewed culture of cooperation. It means setting the right priorities.
We must specialise in what we do best and focus resources on what we need most.
And we must work together to deliver capabilities that many nations cannot afford on
its own.
As part of this new approach we will also reinforce the connections among our forces
and their ability to work together.
Once again, NATO is determined to meet the challenge of change. At our Summit in
Chicago next month, we will demonstrate our commitment to continue to invest
political, military and economic capital in a transatlantic Alliance that is fully fit to deal
with the security challenges of today and tomorrow.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Opening Statement at the North Atlantic Council
Meeting in Defence Ministers Session, 18 Apr. 2012
“We will ensure that our Alliance has the modern, deployable and connected forces
that we need for the next decade and beyond. We will do this through a renewed
culture of cooperation we call Smart Defence.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Arrival Statement prior to the NATO
Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers meeting at NATO Headquarters, 18 Apr. 2012
“Transformation is not the same as Smart Defense. Transformation is a long-term
process. It is a mindset, and a path which helps us to continuously adapt to the
changing environment and prepare for future events taking into account a strategic
vision.
Smart Defense is something different. It is a vision, and a new strategy for NATO
Nations to develop, acquire and maintain the capabilities needed to fulfill the
missions which have been decided by the heads of state and government in the
Strategic Concept (the Alliance’s ten-year plan, drafted in 2010). So, Smart Defense
is guiding Transformation, it is part of how this transformation should be done.
(...)
Smart Defense is an initiative for NATO members, and rightly so, because at the
core of all what we do is “collective defense”, which cannot be outsourced. It has to
be taken into account by NATO Nations. However, these same capabilities could
also be used for other types of operation, for what we call Article IV and there, we
need partners. We know that our current partners, with whom we are in operations,
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in Afghanistan or who were in Libya with us for example, face the same austere
situation as we are. So it’s good for us to be able to share things with them and to
work together with them.
Former Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) General Stéphane Abrial, The Chicago
Council on Global Affairs, 27 Mar. 2012
“For the foreseeable future, defence money is likely to remain tight across the
Alliance. And acquiring those capabilities will be a major challenge. But all Allies
have a shared responsibility to provide them. And I firmly believe we will only be able
to meet that responsibility with a new mindset - “Smart Defence”.
We call it “Smart Defence” because it is about spending defence money in a smarter
way. The smarter way is to prioritise. To specialise. To cooperate. To focus not just
on what we cut, but on what we keep. And to choose multinational solutions instead
of unilateral solutions.“
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech on ''NATO 2020 -- Shared leadership for
a shared future'' at the Brussels Forum, 23 Mar. 2012
“NATO must be flexible, capable and ready to prevent a wide-range of crises and
conflicts in our dynamic and unpredictable security environment”
Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, SDA Security Jam, 23 Mar. 2012
“Nous devons être réalistes – nous sommes face à un paysage économique et à un
paysage sécuritaire en pleine mutation. Et c’est pourquoi nous avons décidé qu’à
Chicago, il nous faudra insuffler un nouvel état d’esprit : la défense intelligente.
Smart Defence is about lining up national requirements and NATO’s requirements. It
is about setting clear priorities. Specialising in a coordinated and deliberate way – by
design, not by default. And cooperating between Allies, and with the European
Union, so that every effort counts, and nothing is wasted.
(…)
Smart Defence is about building capabilities together. But we also need to be able to
operate them together. That is why I have launched the Connected Forces Initiative.
It puts a premium on training and education, exercises, and better use of
technology.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 05 Mar. 2012
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“(…) the key is smart defence. Smart defence is about prioritization, specialization
and cooperation. We all know that it will be increasingly difficult for individual allies to
acquire expensive military equipment on their own. By by pooling and sharing
resources, by multinational cooperation and by helping each other, they can better
afford investments in the necessary military capabilities.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference with Supreme Allied
Commander Transformation General Stéphane Abrial at the ACT Seminar, 28 Feb. 2012
”As we go forward, need greater intelligence sharing, consultation on common
approaches, and improvement of planning efforts.”
Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Speech to the NATO reserve officers,
09 Feb. 2012
“I see three significant changes that will affect NATO in the coming years: defence
cuts in Europe; the evolution of the United States defence posture; and the end of
our combat operations in Afghanistan.
We need to respond to these changes so that, by the end of this decade and into the
next, we emerge stronger as an Alliance, not weaker. A key part of our response is
what I call Smart Defence - a new way for NATO and Allies to do business. Faced
with fiscal austerity, and defence budgets under pressure, this is about doing more
by doing it together.
I outlined it last year, in this very same conference room. And at our NATO summit in
Chicago in May, I expect all Allies to commit to it. Because Smart Defence is a longterm strategy to deliver the right capabilities right across the Alliance.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech the Munich Security Conference plenary
session on “Building Euro-Atlantic Security”, 04 Feb. 2012
“First of all, and perhaps most importantly, it is nations-driven. Instead of starting
from a list of priorities derived by NATO, we have started the Smart Defence initiative
by asking the Nations which issues they are interested in addressing, and with whom
they would be more comfortable working. We, NATO as an institution, provide the
necessary framework to ensure momentum, facilitation, coherence, and
coordination, in constant dialogue with the nations.
(…)
This initiative goes to the heart of my first priority and central mission as SACT –
namely, providing coherence and structure to our nations to develop the capabilities
required to protect our collective security in the near and more distant future. Smart
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Defence is our best effort to accomplish this vision in the face of today’s most
pressing challenge – the financial crisis that has put unprecedented pressure on our
military budgets in an uncertain world and at a time when our requirements are not
decreasing.
(…)
A further characteristic of Smart Defence will be among the most critical to its lasting
impact and success : its degree of synergy with the Pooling and Sharing initiative.
This is not only a conviction of mine, but one that is firmly held by political and
military leaders of the nations in the Alliance.”
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General S. Abrial, Intervention at the
annual EDA Conference, Brussels, 31 Jan. 2012
“We must shape an Alliance capable to face today's challenges, while providing
tomorrow's security. While we may not be able to spend more on defence, we must
spend better and we must spend together and that is what we call "smart defence."
Romania is already part of several such projects. You will host elements of the
NATO missile defence system. This is an excellent example of smart defence, where
many Allies provide different assets for a critical capability. It will protect two
continents against a major and growing threat. And in Chicago we hope to announce
the interim capability for our missile defence system.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Joint press point with the President of Romania,
Traian Băsescu, 30 Jan. 2012
“I hope we will be in a position to adopt a political declaration on smart defence as a
framework, as a political framework, for, I would call it a new way of doing business,
in the coming years. It's a concept focused on more multinational cooperation. We
simply can't continue to do business as usual.
And I would like to stress this is not just about a period of economic austerity. It's a
long-term challenge, because we have seen rapidly increasing prices of high-tech
military equipment.
So in the future we will see that individual Allies can't afford to acquire expensive
military equipment, but by pooling and sharing resources they will be able to acquire
such equipment.
So it's a new concept of doing defence business, so to speak.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press conference, 26 Jan. 2012
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“Today, many NATO countries still face serious economic difficulties. Many are
cutting their defence expenditures to balance their budgets. But I have to say they
must also balance their security and their economic needs.
Maintaining an adequate level of defence spending remains essential for our
security. Many Allied Governments are finding this difficult at the moment. That is
why I particularly value the Estonian Government’s decision to increase its defence
spending to 2 per cent of GDP this year. This is indeed a significant achievement,
and a most welcome commitment. And it sets an excellent example.
NATO’s Baltic Allies have shown that, even when nations cannot spend more, they
can certainly spend better, and get greater value for money. By taking fresh
approaches. By focusing on areas where they can really make a difference. And by
working together with other nations to provide capabilities which they cannot afford
on their own.
I have called this “Smart Defence”. And I am encouraged that all Allies have agreed
to adopt this approach.
It is my goal that, by the time of our next NATO Summit meeting, in Chicago in May,
“Smart Defence” will be a real guiding principle for our Alliance.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech in Tallinn, Estonia, 19 Jan. 2012
“We do not want to reinvent the wheel. Priorities are very well-known in NATO. We
have had many initiatives in the past - look at Lisbon and the critical capability
package, we know what we need. We base our work now on lessons from the past
and lessons from operations - ongoing operations like Afghanistan or just finished
operations like Libya. We look at what we could have done better and then this is the
bedrock on which we build these initiatives. But the most important aspect of "smart
defence" is the fact that this time it's not only a top-down approach, it's the nations
deciding what they want to do. We have the national interests which can also be of
use to the Alliance.”
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General S. Abrial, Defense News's Vago
Muradian spoke with SACT Gen. Stephane Abrial, 14 Jan. 2012
“Let me be clear, Smart Defense is not designed to cut defense spending. It is to
compensate for increasing pressure on nations’ defense budgets. It is about
spending better, together as an Alliance.”
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General S. Abrial, in Atlantic Community
forum, December 2011, http://www.atlanticcommunity.org/index/articles/view/General_Abrial%27s_Answers%3A_Part_1_-_Smart_Defense
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Article 5
“If one Ally is attacked, we consider it an attack on all; and the other Allies will send
their militaries to the defence of the attacked country. This is the principle, ‘all for
one, and one for all.’
(…)
Just over eleven years ago, terrorists struck at the very heart of this city, and this
country. NATO Allies rushed to America’s aid. For the first time in history, we
invoked Article 5, the collective defence clause in our founding Washington treaty.
Planes flew from Europe, across the Atlantic, to patrol the skies here. We
demonstrated in the clearest possible terms that the attacks on the United States
were considered an attack on us all.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Why NATO matter for you Speech at the City
College of New York, 27 Sep. 2012
“However the strategic concept unfolds, Art. 5 will be at the heart of it.”
NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Admiral James G. Stavridis, SDA Lunch Debate, 07 Dec.
2009
New Threats
“When I look at our world, I see an arc of crises stretching from the Sahel to Central
Asia.
Let me stress. This does not mean we will have to intervene everywhere. Nor that
we are set for confrontation. But it does mean we must stand ready to deter, and
defend against, any threat.
So we have to keep our operational edge, and retain the complete range of
capabilities. Among these, I see increased importance for missile defence, cyber
defence, and special forces.”
''NATO after ISAF – Staying Successful Together'' - Remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders
Fogh Rasmussen at the Munich Security Conference, 02 Feb. 2013
“I have to stress that it is a major responsibility for individual Allies to protect their
systems effectively. And it's their national decision to develop an effective cyberdefence. As regards NATO, we are in the process of strengthening our cybersecurity. And you're right it is a defensive strategy because we want to defend
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ourselves against attacks on NATO systems. So we have improved and we will
continue to strengthen the security of our information and communication systems.
We're also in the process of considering how NATO as an alliance could provide
assistance to individual Allies if they so request. You mentioned some of the major or
some of the bigger Allies. Yes, big Allies may have the capacity; may have the
resources to provide an effective cyber-defence on their own. But other Allies may
not have the same capacity and... And they might be interested in getting assistance
from the Alliance as such. So if so requested, I think it would be a good idea for
NATO as an alliance to be able to provide such assistance. So with all respect, I
have to focus on what is actually our approach, and that is the defensive approach;
because it is a cyber-defence.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press conference, 05 Nov. 2012
“But today’s security challenges, such as cyberwarfare, missile proliferation, and
terrorism, do not confine themselves to a single region, and neither can we.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General of NATO Amb. Alexander Vershbow, 7th Annual Riga Conference,
15 Sep. 2012
“What the future will bring us -- well, I don’t think any of us really knows, therefore we
have to be ready to handle a broad spectrum of possible types of operation in the
future.”
Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Interview with the American Forces
Press Service, NATO HQ, Brussels, 11 May 2012
« L’OTAN est toujours parfaitement adaptée à sa mission principale qui est énoncée
par l’article 5 du traité de l’Atlantique nord, à savoir la défense collective.
Néanmoins, l’Alliance doit également prendre en compte l’émergence de nouvelles
menaces. C’est ainsi qu’au sommet de Lisbonne, en novembre 2010, elle s’est vu
confier deux nouvelles missions : la défense anti-missile et la défense cybernétique.
C’est une preuve qu’elle prend en compte son environnement et son évolution,
analyse ce que sont les nouvelles menaces et adapte ses moyens et ses missions. »
Former Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) General Stéphane Abrial, Sommet de
Chicago 2012, Politique Internationale, May 2012
“The world today is just as dangerous, but in different and unpredictable ways. We
face many new threats. Terrorism, piracy, cyber warfare, the disruption to our energy
supplies, and the world’s most dangerous people getting their hands on the world’s
most dangerous weapons.”
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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Introductory remarks at the National Defence
University, Washington DC, 28 Feb. 2012
“Terrorism, proliferation, piracy, cyber warfare. These are just some of the new,
complex challenges that affect all our nations. Challenges that won’t wait until we
have our economies back in order. Like the economic crisis, they require urgent
attention, and the closest possible international cooperation.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech in Athens on “Greece and NATO:
Building security when times are tough”, 16 Feb. 2012
“The fight against terrorism and defence against cyber attacks, as examples, require
global, multi-disciplinary and multinational responses.”
(…)
Now threats have no “axis” and boundaries are transcended by technology with
incredible speed, precision and lethality”
Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Speech to the NATO reserve officers,
09 Feb. 2012
Terrorism
“We take it for granted that Pakistan will live up to her international obligations and
take all necessary steps to prevent terrorism and violence in the border region
between Pakistan and Afghanistan and contribute in a positive way to stability,
peace and security in Afghanistan and in the region.”
Secretary General’s Monthly Press Conference and launch of the Annual Report for 2012, 31 Jan.
2013
“Le terrorisme ne peut jamais se justifier ni être toléré. Et l’OTAN est déterminée à
jouer pleinement son rôle pour ce qui est de le combattre. C’est vital pour notre
propre sécurité. Et c’est vital pour les valeurs et les principes du droit international
que nous défendons.
Voilà pourquoi Alliés et partenaires travaillent sans relâche pour détecter et prévenir
les actes de terrorisme.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General’s monthly press
briefing, 10 Sep. 2012
“Now, on al-Qaeda, I do believe overall that al-Qaeda has been weakened
significantly. Of course, we are aware of cells here and there that operate. But I think
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that from an overall perspective we have succeeded in weakening al-Qaeda
significantly and that also goes as far as North Africa is concerned.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference at the ACT Seminar,
28 Feb. 2012
“International ties, at all levels. Relationships reinforce solidarity among the allies
where cohesion is pivotal to our centre of gravity”.
Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Speech to the NATO reserve officers,
09 Feb. 2012
Cyber Defence
“Estonia is leading the way in cyber security – a vital part of modern capabilities. The
cooperative cyber-defence centre of excellence in Tallinn allows Allies to share
experience and share best practices, and gives all those who participate a chance to
become more secure. This is defence for the future.
(...)
And in today's meeting, I have discussed with the president how we can move the
cyber agenda forward. We agree that cyber-security will be... is one of the emerging
security challenges. And we have to take it seriously and consider how we can
strengthen our cyber-defence. And in today's meeting, I have actually encouraged
Estonia to present proposals as to how we could move forward as an Alliance;
possibly work together with other like-minded Allies. We need that political push. And
I would like to commend President Ilves for his personal engagement in the cybersecurity agenda. So I attach great importance to the role of Estonia when it comes to
cyber-security.
(...)
For my part, I would like to make two points. The first is that when it comes to the
protection of NATO information and communication systems we have a very, very
well developed cyber-security system.
There is a lot of interest out there in cyber-space when it comes to NATO activities.
And we experience regular attacks. But so far we have successfully protected our
systems. And we will continue to develop and to strengthen our cyber-security, our
cyber-defence.
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Now, my second point is that personally I would very much like to develop our
capacity to help NATO Allies that become subject to cyber-attacks as Estonia
suffered from a cyber-attack some years ago, realizing that while bigger Allies may
have a sufficient capacity to protect their own systems against cyber-attacks, we also
have to realize that other small Allies maybe don't necessarily have their own
capacity to resist such attacks. In that case, I think we should have a capacity to help
Allies that request our assistance. That would very much be in the spirit of a line of
solidarity. In that respect, we still need to further develop our capacity. That would be
my ambition.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the joint press point with President Ilves of
Estonia, 18 Mar. 2013
“Question (Teri Schultz with NPR and CBS): And President Ilves, you've been known
to say, including Saturday that NATO is not up to the challenge yet of dealing with
cyber-security and that... I'm interested to hear whether you think your country is
adequately protected by the Alliance's defences as of now. And if you can give any
ideas about how you think that more should be done right now. I'd be happy to hear
them, thanks.
Answer: Secondly, cyber is actually a fairly unique area in that size doesn't always
matter. You can be very good and be very small. You can be very big and be very
bad, I mean sort of not good at cyber. That has certainly been our experience when
we look at the level of sophistication among some of our NATO Allies that in fact our
smallness is not the same kind of factor as it is when it comes to say tanks or
something.
But let me say this. What we've seen in the past two, three years is a tremendous
galvanization of resources to actually deal with the issue of cyber-defence across the
Alliance. Where we have not... where we, this is completely understandable, the first
time is you want to defend your own home turf. But where we need... where I see a
lot of opportunity for doing much more is actually within the NATO context.
The analogy I usually give is that we are in the area of cyber-defence; we are sort of
working in a kind of intelligence paradigm where you share little. What we need to do
is move on to an interoperability paradigm where you share much more. You pool
resources and you can much more effectively defend yourself against cyber... cyberattacks.”
President Ilves of Estonia at the joint press point with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh
Rasmussen, 18 Mar. 2013
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“We must also improve our cyber-resilience. I see a critical role for NATO in defining
a common approach among the Allies. In training. And in providing specialist
assistance to Allies who come under cyber attack.”
''NATO after ISAF – Staying Successful Together'' - Remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders
Fogh Rasmussen at the Munich Security Conference, 02 Feb. 2013
“Last year in November at the Lisbon Summit we approved a package of so-called
critical capabilities. We want our Allies to give priority to investments in a number of
areas and we have listed 11 critical capabilities, among which you'll also see cyber
defence. And that's not just science fiction. Four years ago one of our Allies, Estonia,
was severely hurt by a cyber attack and we learned a lot of lessons from that. And
this is the reason why we have started work to strengthen our cyber security at
NATO, in NATO as such, as well as in individual Allied nations.
We have not yet decided what will specifically be in the package to agreed in
Chicago, but definitely cyber is among our priorities.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at the European Policy Centre, Brussels
on “Towards NATO’s Chicago Summit”, 30 Sep. 2011
Energy Security
“Clearly, this is not just a political and economic challenge, it is also a security
challenge – and this makes energy security a legitimate subject for NATO.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Central Military Club, Sofia, Bulgaria,
20 May 2010
Climate Change
“I predict that we will also very soon feel the effects of climate change on our
security: through humanitarian disasters, conflicts over arable land, and mounting
competition for natural resources.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, 14th International NATO Conference, Budapest,
Hungary, 19 Nov. 2009
Partnerships
“Nos opérations démontrent le potentiel de notre coopération, aussi bien pour les
Alliés que pour les partenaires. Tout comme le démontre le travail que nous
accomplissons ensemble pour promouvoir les réformes démocratiques et renforcer
les capacités des partenaires dans le monde. Nous devons exploiter au maximum
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ce potentiel, pour relever les défis de sécurité d’aujourd’hui, et les défis émergents
de demain.
At our Chicago summit earlier this year, we engaged our partners at the highest
level. So this is a good moment to push our partnership policy forward.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Opening Remarks at the Meeting of the North
Atlantic Council meeting in Foreign Ministers Session, 04 Dec. 2012
“I am very pleased to say that one partnership that has been steadily strengthening
is NATO’s partnership with Switzerland.
This country knows that, although you may be non-aligned, you cannot afford to stay
on the sidelines. You understand that security today must be cooperative security.
And you have backed up that understanding with active engagement.
You have made many concrete and important contributions to NATO-led operations.
For example, today, over 200 Swiss personnel are deployed with our mission to
support the development of a peaceful, stable and multi-ethnic Kosovo. I want to
use this opportunity to thank them, as well as the Swiss authorities, for their
commitment to our Kosovo mission. They have helped keep the peace at the heart
of Europe.
Your armed forces have also benefited from these deployments, and from working
shoulder-to-shoulder with NATO and other partner forces. They have been an
important driver behind your force modernisation. They have helped you to adopt
NATO standards and procedures which facilitate greater cooperation with your
neighbours. And they have given you a voice at the table when political and military
decisions about these operations are made.
But our partnership goes much further, and deeper, than operations. Over the years,
your country has developed enormous credibility and trust – both among NATO
Allies and among our other partners. With your soft-power diplomacy and your
mediation skills, you have become a unique and essential contributor to our
cooperative security.
(...)
It is because Switzerland and NATO share the same values – freedom, democracy,
and respect for human rights. We both understand the importance of defending and
promoting these values in an uncertain world. And we both understand that true
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democracies will always be more stable, and will improve the security of all our
nations.
Because of these shared values, Switzerland has made an enormous investment in
NATO’s partnership programmes. You have provided trainers in defence reform,
military training and education, and building democratic institutions. Your experts
work alongside those of NATO to build more transparent and democratic security
institutions. And I want to thank you for that.
Recently, Switzerland has expressed an interest in broadening its political dialogue
and practical cooperation with NATO to include issues such as cyber-security and
countering proliferation. We welcome this interest. And look forward to working
more closely with you on these issues in the future. They are a further
demonstration of your country’s understanding of our evolving security environment,
and the merits of your partnership with NATO.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, “Switzerland and NATO: Partners in security” at
the Churchill Symposium in Zürich, Switzerland, 22 Nov. 2012
“The partnership between Finland and NATO has also produced great results.
Finland is among NATO’s most active, committed, and effective partners.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO and Finland: building security together in
the 21st century in Helsinki, Finland, 15 Nov. 2012
“Meeting these new, global challenges takes a new level of international cooperation.
It requires countries with shared values to join forces to achieve shared goals.
Partners who are willing, ready and able to ‘plug in’. And partners who understand
that, by plugging in to NATO, they multiply the security benefits of their own efforts.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO and Finland: building security together in
the 21st century in Helsinki, Finland, 15 Nov. 2012
“But just as importantly in an era of global threats, we need to add to our strength by
reaching out across the globe for partners in security who are prepared to meet
those threats together with us. Fortunately, we have found them – on all five
continents.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General of NATO Amb. Alexander Vershbow, 7th Annual Riga Conference,
15 Sep. 2012
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“NATO is the best place for members and partners countries to cooperate and to
develop joint initiatives in order to invest in common security.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee Conference in Sibiu, Romania, 15 Sep. 2012
“The NATO-Azerbaijan partnership gives your country access to a unique security
forum. A seat at the table where we can address vital security concerns like
Afghanistan together, Allies and partners. And my aim is to have more such
discussions, on a broader range of current and new security challenges, like energy
security and cyber-defence.
Our partnership also supports Azerbaijan’s reforms. Especially in defence reforms,
where you are developing modern and accountable military forces that are relevant
to today’s security challenges, and able to play their full part in multinational
operations.
Much of our cooperation is focused on military-to-military activities, such as training
and education. We are also deepening our cooperation on energy security and
cyber-security.
(...)
Azerbaijan is an important partner for NATO. And NATO will continue to be an
important partner for Azerbaijan.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy in Baku,
Azerbaijan, 07 Sep. 2012
“Armenia is a valuable partner for NATO. And NATO is a valuable partner for
Armenia. We now have an opportunity to build an even stronger partnership for the
future. It’s an opportunity we must seize. Because we all have to gain, and so does
the region as a whole.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the joint press conference with the President of
Armenia, Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, 06 Sep. 2012
“At a time of global risks and threats, delivering security must be a cooperative effort.
And this means NATO must continue to strengthen its connection with other
countries and organisations around the globe.
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(…) Militaries around the world aspire to our standards and the ability of our forces to
work together. Importantly, we can integrate other nations’ contributions into complex
multinational operations like no other organisation.
(…) So it is as important for NATO to invest in strong partnerships as it is to invest in
modern military hardware, and in flexible forces.
Partnership is not a choice between staying at home or going global. It is not
peripheral to our business – it is part of NATO’s core business. In almost all areas,
we need effective partnerships to be successful. To manage crises. To defend
against emerging security challenges. And to promote stability.
(…)
So we must build on the practical experience of working with our partners in order to
work even more closely together in the future.
This is about NATO assuming a global perspective. Playing its part globally, and
strengthening our ability to act in concert with our partners around the globe.
(…)
As well as expanding the range of issues where we cooperate, we must also expand
the range of nations with whom we engage. Take China, for example. It is a
permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. It is playing an
increasingly important global role. And as an organisation which is driven by the UN
Charter of Principles, NATO needs to better understand China and define areas
where we can work together to guarantee peace and stability. This is why I believe
we need to hold a more active dialogue with China.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at Chatham House, London, 04 Jul.
2012
“21st century security challenges demand not only new capabilities, but also a new
level of cooperation between nations and organisations. And this cooperation needs
to be increasingly global in scope, since global security challenges require global
solutions. That is why we agreed at Chicago to strengthen the unique, global
network of partnership relations that NATO has developed over the years.
There was a strong re-affirmation at Chicago of the need to enhance our political
dialogue and our practical cooperation with our partners; to cooperate in new areas,
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such as cyber defence and energy security; and to boost joint training and exercises,
so that we can preserve our ability to undertake operations when needed.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow at the “Georgia Defence and
Security Conference” in Batumi, Georgia, 29 Jun. 2012
“In fact, from Afghanistan to Libya and Kosovo, partnerships are essential to NATO’s
success. That is why we are determined to continue to build on that success with
countries that are able and willing to contribute where we all have a stake.
Our unique network of partners includes over 40 nations and spans the globe – from
East Asia to Western Europe, from North Africa to the South Pacific. When it comes
to security, NATO is the world’s partner of choice. Because we can provide a tried
and tested framework for our partners to play their role on the global stage.
We saw that at the NATO summit in Chicago last month, which brought together 60
nations and organisations focused on the future of Afghanistan. And it brought
together NATO Allies with 13 of our most valued and active partners. Prime Minister
Julia Gillard joined us at both those meetings in Chicago, in recognition of Australia’s
significant contribution to our work.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at the National Press Club, Canberra,
Australia, 13 Jun. 2012
“If you add up all these factors in NATO’s relationship to its partners, what appears is
that the stars are favourably aligned.
Allies and partners are indeed united today by the nature of the common strategic
challenges we are all facing – from cyber-threats to terrorism; by our common
concern with making the most of the resources we dedicate to defence; and by the
great strides we have made together in operations. Additionally, the tools are now
increasingly in place for us to make the most of these opportunities in the coming
years: a new partnership policy; initiatives such as Smart Defence and Connected
Forces; and a streamlined NATO organization, with more readability and coherence
in the fields of training and exercises that present such promising opportunities for
cooperation.”
Former Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) General Stéphane Abrial, Opening
Remarks, Strategic Military Partner Conference, Zagreb, 19 May 2012
“Au sommet de Lisbonne, nous avons annoncé clairement que nous renforcerions le
dialogue et la coopération avec les pays partenaires et avec des acteurs
internationaux clés. Parce que dans le monde d'aujourd'hui, les défis de sécurité ne
connaissent pas de frontières, et parce qu'aucun pays ou alliance ne peut faire face
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à la plupart d'entre eux par ses propres moyens. Et notre réseau unique de
partenaires s'étend dans le monde entier - depuis l'Europe de l'Ouest jusqu'à l’Asie
de l'Est, et de l'Afrique du Nord au Pacifique Sud.
En Afghanistan, nous travaillons au côté de vingt-deux partenaires, qui fournissent
des troupes, des instructeurs et des ressources à la plus grande coalition de
l'histoire récente. Au Kosovo, huit partenaires nous aident à maintenir un
environnement sûr et stable. Et le soutien politique et opérationnel de plusieurs
partenaires d'Europe, du Moyen-Orient et d'Afrique du Nord a été essentiel à
l'opération que nous avons menée avec succès l'an dernier pour faire appliquer les
résolutions du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU dans le but de protéger les civils en
Libye.
To recognise these important contributions, we have invited a group of thirteen
partner nations. They are making significant contributions to NATO operations. This
partnership meeting will be an unprecedented occasion to discuss common security
challenges and how we can make our cooperation even broader and deeper. And
NATO foreign ministers will also meet their colleagues from Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Georgia, Mongenegro and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
to discuss the whole range of issues on the Summit agenda.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press conference, 11 May 2012
“Partners are very important to NATO. A number of ongoing operations, or
operations which have taken place, could not have been conducted, or would have
been very difficult to conduct without the participation of partners. And therefore,
partners are to be listened to carefully and taken into consideration.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 19 Jan. 2012
NATO/Russia
“Question (Rikard Jozwiak, Radio Free Europe): The US recently announced that
they will scrap the fourth phase of the Defence Missile plans they have in Europe. Do
you think that this will help NATO's relations with Russia now? And will you go to
Russia, Moscow, anytime soon to discuss these things?
Answer: First of all, let me stress that the US decision has nothing to do with Russia.
And I would like to stress three points in relation to the US announcement. Firstly,
that Secretary Hagel as he announced this decision also stressed the strong and
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continued commitment of the US to the NATO missile defence. That commitment
remains “iron-clad” as Secretary Hagel expressed it.
Secondly, as you will recall, the development of the NATO missile defence system is
a so-called "phased adaptive approach" in four phases. And phases one through
three will be implemented including sites in Poland and Romania. And these three
phases that will be implemented will provide coverage of all European NATO
populations and territory, as planned by 2018. And thirdly, and consequently, the
Europeans will see no difference in their missile defence. And there will be exactly
the same coverage of NATO-Europe as in the original plan. I think these three points
are very important to emphasize.
We have invited Russia to cooperate on missile defence. This invitation still stands.
Let me stress that the NATO missile defence system is not directed against Russia.
And both NATO countries and Russia would benefit from such cooperation. So I
hope Russia will take our invitation seriously. We are sincere about cooperation with
Russia on missile defence. We hope that Russia will accept the invitation to develop
such missile defence cooperation.
Finally, as regards an invitation to visit Moscow, the Russians have renewed the
invitation to visit Russia. We are now considering dates and schedules. So hopefully,
at a time that is convenient for all parties, we will have an opportunity to continue our
political dialogue.”
Monthly Press Conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, 18 Mar. 2013
“I also see us deepening our strategic relationship with Russia. So we can build longlasting security and stability for all of us in the Euro-Atlantic community.”
''NATO after ISAF – Staying Successful Together'' - Remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders
Fogh Rasmussen at the Munich Security Conference, 02 Feb. 2013
“I hope that the clarification of the political situation both in Russia and in the United
States will pave the way for some progress. Our invitation to Russia to cooperate on
missile defence still stands.
We invited Russia to cooperate when we met in Lisbon in 2010. I hope to see
progress. I do believe it's in our mutual interest to embark on cooperation to the
benefit of people in Russia and people in NATO countries.”
Secretary General’s Monthly Press Conference and launch of the Annual Report for 2012, 31 Jan.
2013
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“Notably, we have agreed an ambitious programme of work for cooperation with
Russia for 2013, which demonstrates our mutual commitment to strengthen our
relationship. And let me tell you that we concluded with a high success rate – close
to 90 percent - for initiatives undertaken in the 2012 NATO Russia work plan. This
cooperation was particularly successful in the areas of counter terrorism, counter
piracy and counter Improvised Explosive Devices. Where counter piracy is
concerned, our joint efforts have been quite significant. Russian ships received
training at the Centre of Excellence for Maritime Interdiction at Souda Bay in Crete,
where both NATO and Russian crews exchanged experience and trained counter
piracy tactics. And this year, our ability to cooperate will further improve through
implementing a common secure communication system, which will enable Russian
and NATO ships to communicate with each other over secure lines.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 17 Jan 2013
“While we are both cognizant of our different views on Ballistic Missile Defence,
discussions will continue by appreciating each other’s standpoints. And I welcome
Russia’s willingness to continue dialogue on finding ways to improve trust,
confidence and transparency.
(…)
Mutual trust, transparency and reciprocal acts are the good basis to progress
cooperation.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Meeting with the Chief of the General
Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Colonel-General Gerasimov, Moscow, 15 Dec
2012
“In the past year, we have achieved a lot.
We have passed a milestone with the training of over 2,500 counter-narcotics
officers from Afghanistan, Central Asia and Pakistan.
We have almost completed training 30 helicopter technicians, and provided badlyneeded spare parts for the Afghan Air Force.
We expanded our arrangement for the transit of goods to and from Afghanistan, to
include combined transport by rail, road and air.
And we declared operational the NATO-Russia Cooperative Airspace Initiative,
which aims to prevent terrorists using civilian aircraft in their attacks.
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This is a good foundation for next year’s ambitious agenda.
We will expand our support for the Afghan Air Force by providing training to
technicians on more types of helicopter, and in new areas, such as developing the
Afghan Air Force’s medical evacuation capability.
We will expand our counter-narcotics cooperation with dedicated programmes for
Afghan police women, training on the use of dogs in the fight against drugs, and
more courses in more locations than ever before.
And we will consider cooperation on the disposal of excess ammunition. This could
make a significant contribution to safety and security.
These are all valuable projects, which can bring new vigour to the NATO-Russia
Council. Because the NATO-Russia Council is a forum for dialogue at all times and
on all issues. Our goal is a strategic partnership between NATO and Russia. And we
are committed to working as 29 equal partners in the NATO-Russia Council to
achieve that goal.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference following the working lunch of
the NATO-Russia Council in Foreign Ministers session, 04 Dec. 2012
“Russian soldiers were deployed alongside Alliance soldiers in the first NATO-led
peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the largest non-NATO troop
contingent. And despite differences over NATO’s Kosovo air campaign at the end of
the decade, Russia did also deploy peacekeepers to support the NATO-led Kosovo
Force.
(…)
First of all, our political dialogue has indeed intensified. We now consult each other
regularly, on different subjects and at different levels.
(...)
Second, our military-to-military cooperation has intensified as well. We now work
together to fight piracy off the Horn of Africa, and we continue to invest in enhancing
the interoperability between our forces. We have held joint exercises in areas such
as search and rescue at sea, and to practice our response to the possibility of a
renegade aircraft entering our airspace. (...)
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Third, our practical cooperation has expanded in other areas as well. We held major
table-top exercises last spring on counter-terrorism and on Theatre Missile Defence.
A joint NATO-Russia system to enable real-life/real-time exchange of airspace data
is about to reach full operational capability. And our scientists are working on
technology to detect improvised explosive devices – the so-called STANDEX project,
which is truly ground-breaking.
Finally, and importantly, we have worked more and more closely together towards a
very concrete, shared goal, which is a stable and secure Afghanistan in a peaceful
region. Our NRC programme for training counter-narcotics experts from Afghanistan
and neighbouring states has continued to gather pace. That also applies to our joint
helicopter initiative to reinforce the capability of the Afghan security forces. And we
have been able to count on Russia in granting us transit of its territory in support of
our Afghanistan mission.
(...)
We want Russia to feel confident that NATO is not a threat – because we are not.
NATO missile defence is not directed against Russia and will not undermine
Russia’s strategic deterrent. That fact is clear if one looks objectively at the
geography, the numbers and the physical characteristics of our NATO system. Its
infrastructure is specifically configured to protect against missile threats from outside
the Euro-Atlantic area – not from Russia.
(...)
Now is the time to redouble our efforts to fulfill the promise of the NATO-Russia
relationship – to build security together, rather than against each other. So let us
grasp that opportunity, because greater cooperation between us will mean greater
security for all of us, for our children, and for our children’s children. ”
NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, International Conference
“Russia-NATO: 15 years on the way to partnership” (via VTC), 27 Sep. 2012
“A more open and stable Europe has already brought many benefits to the wider
Euro-Atlantic area. Including to Russia. I know that’s not necessarily how it’s seen in
Moscow. But the fact is that Russia’s trade with NATO’s new members has soared.
And our Open Door policy has, in effect, helped provide Russia with a strategic
setting it has always wanted. Stability on its western borders.
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Still, Russian misperceptions about NATO’s Open Door policy persist. As do many
other myths about the Alliance. We must work to overcome this. To help Russia
understand that it can build security together with us, not against us.
NATO’s security and Russia’s security are intertwined. That is why our stated goal is
to forge a true strategic partnership. A partnership based on mutual confidence,
transparency and predictability. Where we work together constructively in the many
areas where we have a common interest, such as Afghanistan. And where we can
also address the outstanding issues that still divide us.
The Alliance is not a threat to Russia. And we do not believe Russia is a threat to us.
So once and for all, let’s stop looking at each other through the prism of the past.
Let’s look instead for opportunities to work closer together in the future.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at Chatham House, London, 04 Jul.
2012
“NATO will also look to improve its own relations with Russia, because NATO and
Russia are both key players in the security of this continent and the entire EuroAtlantic area. And if we work together, we can drive forward the global approach
that today’s global security challenges clearly require. This includes continuing to
cooperate with Russia – along with the states of Central Asia and the South
Caucasus – in promoting stability and security in Afghanistan for the long term. It
includes working with Russia to address common challenges like piracy and
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. And it includes working with Russia on
a cooperative approach to missile defence – one that would counter a real and
growing threat while showing that we are now able to build security together.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow at the “Georgia Defence and
Security Conference” in Batumi, Georgia, 29 Jun. 2012
“NATO wants to build a strategic partnership with Russia. Last week marked two
important anniversaries in our relationship. On 27 May, it was the 15th anniversary of
the signature of the NATO-Russia Founding Act – the document which sets out the
framework of our relationship.
And on 28 May, we marked the 10th anniversary of the creation of the NATO-Russia
Council – the forum where we meet as equals to discuss all topics.
We have come a long way since those two agreements. We are building practical
cooperation in many areas where we have common interests. Afghanistan. Counterterrorism. And the fight against piracy, to name just three.
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Our goal is to take that cooperation to the next stage – to make NATO and Russia
true strategic partners.
But to do that, we need to improve the level of trust, transparency and predictability
in our relationship. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 04 Jun. 2012
“This is a significant year for NATO-Russia relations. Fifteen years ago, we signed
the NATO-Russia Founding Act: marking the first step towards our strategic
cooperation.
Ten years ago, we created the NATO-Russia Council to give that cooperation a
stronger framework, and a stronger future.
Since then, there have been ups and downs. In some areas, we have made great
progress. In others, we have moved slowly. But overall, we have moved forward.
Fifteen years ago, not many people would have expected NATO and Russia to
combat terrorism together – but we are.
Fifteen years ago, not many would have expected us to fight against piracy - but we
are.
And fifteen years ago, not many people would have expected us to be helping make
Afghanistan more secure and stable together – but we are.
We expect to expand soon the transit options offered by Russia for the NATO-led
missions in Afghanistan. This will allow us to send supplies to Afghanistan, and from
Afghanistan, using the Russian rail network and air transport. We appreciate very
highly Russia’s contribution, which is based on our shared interest, and contributes
to our shared security.
(…)
I look forward to more cooperation. More security. And more trust. Because those
are vital pillars of the strategic relationship we agreed to develop.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Statement at the press point following the NATORussia Council meeting in Foreign Ministers session, 19 Apr. 2012
“(…) since our Summit in Lisbon, we have made important progress in important
areas. We have enhanced cooperation on Afghanistan, on counter-terrorism, on
counter-narcotics, on counter-piracy. And I hope that we will now be able to move
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forward in other areas, especially on missile defence. I think both Russia and NATO
would benefit from such cooperation. In Lisbon, we decided to develop true strategic
partnership between NATO and Russia and I hope to see progress in that respect.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 05 Mar. 2012
“(…) I hope Russia in a not too distant future will realize that it's also in Russia's
interest to cooperate with us on missile defence. Because Russia is faced with the
same missile threat. And we could make the whole system much more efficient if we
cooperate, including exchange data, we could prepare a joint threat assessment. We
could prepare joint exercises. We could have a Russian system and a NATO
system; but they could cooperate. And I think that would be in Russia's interest as
well. But as I said, so far we have not seen much progress. And if we don't see more
progress before May then we will not have a meeting probably.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference with Supreme Allied
Commander Transformation General Stéphane Abrial at the ACT Seminar, 28 Feb. 2012
“It is my firm belief that we should build a genuine strategic partnership between
NATO and Russia. Because the peoples of our countries would benefit from:



more security if we strengthen cooperation on fighting terrorism, proliferation,
piracy, and narcotics,
better economy if we create a secure environment for enhanced trade and
investment, and
reinforced political leadership if we join efforts in addressing the global
challenges.
And let us remind ourselves that Euro-Atlantic security is interlinked with and a
cornerstone of global security.
During the last two and a half years we have made substantial progress in the
NATO-Russia relationship. But is has not yet reached its full potential. Far from it.
And I strongly agree with your report that a successful cooperation between NATO
and Russia on missile defence would be a game-changer.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech the Munich Security Conference plenary
session on “Building Euro-Atlantic Security”, 04 Feb. 2012
“On Russia, I still hope we will be able to reach an agreement with Russia on missile
defence cooperation. However, I also have to make it clear that we have not made
much progress so far. We have had a lot of talks. These talks will continue. Maybe
we will not have a clarified situation until a few weeks before the Summit. We still
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keep it as an option to have a NATO-Russia Summit in Chicago, but if there's no
deal probably there will be no Summit.
So we'll see. I can't give any guarantee, but I do believe that Russian leaders will
realize that it's also in their interest to cooperate with NATO on missile defence. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, monthly press conference, 26 Jan. 2012
“We are back on the solid track as to our cooperation with Russia. And we have
further developed, when I'm thinking of the fact that now we have a multi-year
program, a Road Map. Instead of having to create a program year by year, which of
course is not as efficient as having the headlines, with a Road Map we refine it year
by year.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 19 Jan. 2012
NATO/Ukraine
“Our partnership is based on values – including the principles of democracy, the rule
of law and human rights.
NATO Allies have already made clear their concerns about the selective application
of justice and what appear to be politically-motivated prosecutions in Ukraine. These
issues are of real concern for NATO. They are of real importance in our partnership
with Ukraine. We look to Ukraine to address these issues.
(...)
...the decision we took in Bucharest in 2008 that Georgia and Ukraine will become
members of NATO, this decision still stands. But obviously, it's for Ukraine to decide
herself how the relationship between Ukraine and NATO should develop in the
coming years.
We fully respect the non-alignment policy, the non-bloc policy or whatever you might
call it. That's for Ukraine to decide.”
Closing press conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen following the
meetings of NATO Defence Ministers, 22 Feb. 2013
“L’Ukraine et l’OTAN sont des partenaires clés en matière de sécurité. Depuis des
années, l’Ukraine apporte des contributions substantielles, et particulièrement
bienvenues, à toutes les grandes opérations dirigées par l’OTAN, y compris à notre
engagement en Afghanistan. Et je viens tout juste d’avoir un échange de lettres avec
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M. Lebedev confirmant la participation de l’Ukraine à l'opération OTAN de lutte
antipiraterie « Ocean Shield ».
We have made good progress in our partnership in many areas. Defence reform has
been, and will remain, a vital priority. Ukraine has set out an ambitious and
comprehensive programme for the reform and modernisation of its armed forces.
(...)
We are also committed to supporting Ukraine’s other reform efforts. In particular, the
determined implementation of reforms to reinforce democracy and the rule of law
would benefit the people of Ukraine and the whole Euro-Atlantic community.”
Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the meeting of the NATOUkraine Commission in Defence Ministers session, 22 Feb. 2013
“Ukraine is a significant partner and a valuable contributor to our operations. We will
discuss the way ahead in our partnership. And we will take forward our political
dialogue, which is based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and human
rights.”
NATO Secretary General’s doorstep statement at the start of the NATO Defence Ministers meeting,
21 Feb. 2013
“... we attach great importance to our partnership with Ukraine and we appreciate
that the Ukrainian political leadership has clearly expressed its ambition to develop
its partnership with NATO within the current framework.”
Secretary General’s Monthly Press Conference and launch of the Annual Report for 2012, 31 Jan.
2013
“(...) let me tell you that I'm very concerned about the situation in Ukraine. It's clear
that the parliamentarian elections constituted a step backwards for Ukrainian
democracy. And I share the concerns expressed by the international election
observation mission in its preliminary findings regarding the conduct of the elections
in Ukraine. These findings outline a mixed picture with several shortcomings,
including the lack of a level playing field.
I think Ukraine deserves strong democratic institutions and political system that
respects the rule of law. And these elections did not advance those causes. And I
want to reiterate my deep concern that politically motivated convictions of opposition
leaders prevented them from running in these elections. An independent sovereign
and stable Ukraine firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law is key to EuroAtlantic security. That's why I'm concerned about the current situation in Ukraine.
But I would also like to add that the Alliance stands ready to further assist Ukraine in
its reforms.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press conference. 05 Nov. 2012
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“The Ukraine decision to contribute with naval support to NATO-led Operation Ocean
Shield is a valuable contribution not only to the operation but on the overall NATOUkraine forces cooperation and interoperability.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Meeting with the Ukraine Minister of
Defence Dmytro Salamatin, Kiev, 7 Sep 2012
“We must also keep working to improve our relations with Russia, while continuing to
engage with other key countries to the East, such as Ukraine.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General of NATO Amb. Alexander Vershbow, 7th Annual Riga Conference,
15 Sep. 2012
“We have an excellent cooperation with Ukraine. We fully respect that Ukraine has
declared a non-alliance policy. But we still a special NATO-Ukraine commission as
the framework for our cooperation, and Ukraine has confirmed that Ukraine intends
to continue and further develop practical cooperation with NATO, within the NATOUkraine Commission and in full respect of the non-alliance policy. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference with Moscow-based
journalists, 26 Mar. 2012
NATO/Georgia
“Georgia’s commitment to NATO is solid. And NATO’s commitment to Georgia
remains just as solid.
Today, NATO ministers reconfirmed the decision taken at the Bucharest Summit in
2008 that Georgia will become a member of the Alliance. And to this end, NATO will
continue to support and assist Georgia’s reform efforts through the NATO-Georgia
Commission.
We reconfirmed NATO’s unwavering support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty within its internationally-recognised borders.
And we welcomed and encouraged Georgia’s efforts towards peaceful conflict
resolution, to enhance security in its region and to reach out to the South Ossetia
and Abkhazia regions of Georgia.
The challenge now is to maintain momentum. To ensure that Georgia stays on the
path of democratic reforms.
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We recognise Georgia’s strong reform record. But we also recognise that there is still
more work to be done. Especially with respect to reforming the judiciary and
strengthening the rule of law and media freedom and transparency.
NATO is determined to support that process. Our dialogue and cooperation will
continue. And we will develop them further within the NATO-Georgia Commission.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference following the meetings of the
NATO-Georgia Commission in Foreign Ministers session and of NATO Foregin Ministers with nonNATO ISAF Contributing Nations, 05 Dec. 2012
“I can assure you that NATO is committed to close relations with Georgia. (...)
Georgia’s elections in October were free and fair and lived up to democratic
standards. I encourage all parties in Georgia to keep up that momentum and
consolidate democratic progress. That includes full respect for the rule of law, the
constitution and democratic standards.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Joint press point with the Prime Minister of
Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili, 14 Nov. 2012
“The elections in Georgia are indeed very important for Georgia of course, first and
foremost. But furthermore, the elections, the parliamentary elections this year as well
as the presidential elections next year are a litmus test of the way democracy works
in Georgia. So Allies are following the elections very closely.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 01 Oct. 2012
“Georgia has made clear that it will be part of NATO's continuing commitment to
Afghanistan’s future. Even before Chicago, Georgia announced that it would be
doubling its already substantial troop contribution, including by sending more
trainers, in tandem with another battalion of combat troops.
As a result, this autumn, Georgia will become the largest non-NATO contributor to
our mission. For a country of just over four and a half million people, this is a
remarkable achievement. And it is an achievement for which all of us at NATO are
extremely grateful.
(…)
As you all know, at our NATO Summit in Bucharest in 2008, the Allies decided that
Georgia will become a member of NATO. The Chicago Summit made clear that
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Allies stand by that decision and recognized the progress Georgia has made in
meeting NATO’s standards. Indeed, Allies look forward to welcoming Georgia as
soon as it is able to meet the obligations and responsibilities of membership.
In the wake of the “Rose Revolution” of 2003, this country has set out on a bold
reform course. With NATO’s encouragement and practical assistance, Georgia has
made remarkable progress across a wide range of areas. But we know, and people
here in Georgia know, that there is still plenty of work to be done.
Much of this work is perhaps less visible than some of the major reforms that have
already been accomplished. But it is crucial now to implement those political
decisions, to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of your institutions, and to
further enhance the interoperability of Georgia’s military forces with those of the
Alliance.
(...)
NATO Allies have been pleased to see a very positive dynamic in Georgia’s
democratic development. Building strong democratic institutions is a vital part of this
development. But here too more needs to be done. In particular, it is essential that
there be an open and transparent political process, and level playing field for all
players, with equal access to the media, and clear rules of the road applied
consistently to all. This will be one of the keys to Georgia’s success in realising its
membership aspirations. And so we expect the parliamentary elections this year,
and the Presidential elections next year, to be free, fair and inclusive.
NATO has stood by Georgia, and we will continue to do so. This includes full
support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally
recognised borders. We do not, and we will not, recognise the so-called
independence of Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We urge all
participants in the Geneva talks to play a constructive role, and to work closely with
the OSCE, the UN and the EU to find a peaceful solution. Georgia’s pledge not to
use force was an important step in this regard, one that Russia should reciprocate.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow at the “Georgia Defence and
Security Conference” in Batumi, Georgia, 29 Jun. 2012
“NATO does not recognise the elections held on November 13 in the Georgian
region of South Ossetia.
The holding of such elections does not contribute to a peaceful and lasting
settlement of the situation in Georgia. The Alliance reiterates its full support for the
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sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised
borders.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, on the elections in South Ossetia, Georgia, 14
Nov. 2011
“We appreciate very much our partnership with Georgia. It is a special partnership.
We have established a NATO-Georgia Commission, a commission that meets on a
regular basis and the NATO Council will visit Georgia in November. We will get an
opportunity to meet with political leaders in Georgia and we look very much forward
to that visit. It will be a reconfirmation of the special partnership we have with
Georgia.
Georgia is among the most important contributors to our operation in Afghanistan.
Georgia's contribution is very, very significant. Very significant. It's a strong
commitment, strong practical commitment to our Alliance and it's a strong political
commitment to our Alliance and this is a reason why we - the whole NATO Council have decided to visit Georgia in November. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at the European Policy Centre, Brussels
on “Towards NATO’s Chicago Summit”, 30 Sep. 2011
NATO/Balkans
“Looking at the Western Balkans as a whole, we have a clear vision. The most
effective way to bring lasting stability is to actively support Euro-Atlantic aspirations
in this region.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen joint press point with the Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Marin Raykov, 27 Mar. 2013
“Montenegro’s reforms are ambitious. And they are on the right path. We encourage
you to continue your efforts, especially in reinforcing the rule of law, and fighting
corruption and organised crime. More reforms in the defence sector will also be
crucial. There is still hard work to do. But Montenegro is moving in the right direction.
Montenegro has been a dedicated contributor to our ISAF operation in Afghanistan,
You have given significant financial support to the Afghan National Security Forces.
And we are grateful for all these contributions.
We are also grateful for your commitment to remain engaged in Afghanistan beyond
2014.
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(...)
We have clearly stated that NATO's door remains open to European democracies
that fulfil the necessary criteria to become members of NATO. We think the opendoor policy has contributed in a valuable way to creating a Europe whole, free and at
peace, security and stability on our continent. And our vision is to see all countries in
the Western Balkans integrated in our Euro-Atlantic structures, the European Union
and NATO. But as I said, certain conditions must be fulfilled to join our Alliance.
Montenegro has made substantial progress in a very short time. We commend you
for that, but there is still some work to do. It's premature to outline any timelines for
future membership, but the brief answer is that the faster the necessary reforms are
implemented the sooner you can become a member of our Alliance.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the joint press point with the Prime Minister of
Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, 26 Mar. 2013
“The new government that I'm Prime Minister of, in the last hundred days actually
efficiently demonstrated that it remains committed to strategic priorities that were
defined, and the NATO membership is one of our top priorities, I dare say even top
priority, and we've worked very hard on strengthening our structures and to provide
coordination of all activities towards reaching the end of becoming a member.
When we will become a member depends on our performance and our delivery on
our reforms. It also depends on our partners, of course, and I believe NATO will
remain consistent in its open-door policy in recognizing individual achievements. And
we hope to be able to deliver on expectations as well, until we are deemed to be
ready.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the joint press point with the Prime Minister of
Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, 26 Mar. 2013
“And I think Bosnia and Herzegovina would profit from being a member of NATO and
the European Union. Look at the countries in central Eastern Europe and see they
how they have benefitted from NATO and the European Union. They enjoy a security
that has also made them very attractive for foreign investments – they have seen
high economic growth, job creation and growing prosperity.
(...)
NATO has taken the first step by granting Bosnia and Herzegovina a conditionbased so-called Membership Action Plan. We're ready to activate that Membership
Action Plan as soon as Bosnia and Herzegovina solves the question of immovable
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defence properties. That is, to ensure that those defence properties are registered as
state property.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Joint press conference with the Chairman of the
Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Nebojša Radmanović, 07 Feb. 2013
“At our Chicago Summit in May, we made clear that our door remains open to those
countries aspiring to NATO membership and we remain committed to the Western
Balkans region.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Joint press point with the President of the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Gjorge Ivanov, 04 Sep. 2012
“In Bosnia and Herzegovina, all immovable defence property must be registered as
state property before further progress can be made.
For the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia¹, an invitation to NATO membership
will be extended as soon as the issue over its name has been resolved.
And in Montenegro, more reforms are needed in the security and defence sectors,
as well as greater reform efforts to fight against organized crime.
Serbia has an important role to play in South-East Europe. Its future clearly lies in
greater cooperation with its neighbours. But also greater cooperation with the
European Union, and with NATO.
Finally, Belgrade and Pristina must settle their differences. I encourage both of them
to make full use of the European Union-facilitated dialogue. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech on “Keeping NATO’s door open” at the
Croatia Summit, 06 Jul. 2012
“We all know that the future of the Western Balkans lies in building peaceful
cooperation, not a return to the conflicts of the past.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press Conference in Pristina, Kosovo, 11 Jul.
2012
“My vision, as regards to Western Balkans is very clear. I would like to see all
countries in the region integrated in the Euro-Atlantic structures, the European Union
and NATO, and I also hope, in that respect, to see improvement in the relationship
between Serbia and NATO.”
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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 04 Jun. 2012
“I also welcome the European Union’s decision to award Serbia candidate status.
This is a sign of progress, and a driver for progress. It is a result of reforms, and a
driver of more important reforms, which can only bring benefits - to Serbia, and to the
whole region. And ultimately, I would like to see the whole of the Western Balkans
achieve their goal of integration into our Euro-Atlantic family. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 05 Mar. 2012
Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) / Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI)
“Along with six Arab countries, Israel is an important partner of the Alliance in the
Mediterranean Dialogue. The security of NATO is linked to the security and stability
of the Mediterranean and of the Middle East region. And our Alliance attaches great
value to our political dialogue and our practical cooperation.
Israel is one of our longest-standing partner countries. We are faced with the same
strategic challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean. And as we face the security
threats of the 21st century, we have every reason to deepen our long-standing
partnership with our Mediterranean Dialogue countries, including Israel.”
Statement by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the joint press point with the
President of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres, 07 Mar. 2013
“Nous avons déjà, en partenariat avec l'Algérie, au sein du Dialogue
méditerranéen... et nous sommes en train de renforcer cette relation entre l'OTAN et
l'Algérie. Et j'envisage de développer ce partenariat pour les années à venir.“
Secretary General’s Monthly Press Conference and launch of the Annual Report for 2012, 31 Jan.
2013
“There remain opportunities for NATO to work with partners in this area, particularly
on the reduction of illicit small arms trafficking.”
Chairman of the Military Committee, General Knud Bartels, Final Press Conference at the Military
Committee in Chiefs of Staff session, Brussels, 17 Jan 2013
“Conversely, peace and security are essential preconditions for economic
flourishing. The disruption off the coast of Somalia demonstrates the impact even
modest security vulnerabilities can have on our economies, to say nothing of
unfolding events around the Mediterranean and beyond.
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This symbiotic relationship between prosperity and security is central to the
Transatlantic community.”
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General S. Abrial, SACT intervention
before the French-American Chamber of Commerce, “The Transformation of NATO: Perspectives for
the Transatlantic Defense Industry”, March 16, 2011
Comprehensive Approach
“I see us reinforcing our cooperation with the United Nations and the European
Union. So that we can respond together to complex crises.”
''NATO after ISAF – Staying Successful Together'' - Remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders
Fogh Rasmussen at the Munich Security Conference, 02 Feb. 2013
“(...) cooperative security is fundamental to the Alliance’s way of doing business. It
means NATO must be able, and willing, to engage politically and militarily with other
nations, wherever they may be, and with other international organisations, such as
the United Nations and the European Union.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at Chatham House, London, 04 Jul.
2012
“I expect that coordination to continue, and I would strongly appreciate if the
European Union could take on a major role in assisting the National Transitional
Council and the Libyan people in the reconstruction of Libya. Maybe the term
reconstruction is not appropriate because for the new authorities in Libya it's really to
build from scratch what has been demolished by the former regime. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly Press Briefing, 05 Oct. 2011
“We aim to deepen political dialogue and practical cooperation with the United
Nations. The European Union is another unique and essential partner for NATO.
And we will continue to promote the Euro-Atlantic integration of countries in the
Western Balkans and to our East. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at the European Policy Centre, Brussels
on “Towards NATO’s Chicago Summit”, 30 Sep. 2011
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NATO/EU
“Question (Nawab Khan from the Kuwait News Agency): Mr. Secretary General, last
week, two important EU member States, France and UK, which are all members of
NATO, called for the lifting of the arms embargo on Syria. What is NATO's position
on this lifting of arms embargo? Thank you.
Answer: This issue is a European Union question. And I speak on behalf of NATO ...
as Secretary General of NATO, I have no intention whatsoever to interfere with this
discussion within the European Union.”
Monthly Press Conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, 18 Mar. 2013
“I consider a strengthened European defence to also be of benefit to NATO. A
stronger European defence will also be a stronger European pillar within NATO,
provided that we avoid waste of tax payers’ money. There is only one set of tax
payers, one set of capabilities, so we should avoid duplication; we should avoid
competition between the two organisations; we should ensure complementarity.”
Press point by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the meeting of European Union
Defence Ministers Dublin, Ireland, 13. Feb. 2013
“Together, NATO and the European Union have succeeded in healing the wounds of
war in Europe. And we have made great strides towards building a Europe that is
free, whole, and at peace. (...) And while NATO has enhanced our security, the
European Union has increased our prosperity.
(...)
Alongside the Smart Defence approach at NATO, many European nations are also
participating in the European Union’s pooling and sharing initiative. These two
programmes complement each other. They are being carefully coordinated to avoid
unnecessary duplication of time, effort, and resources. Because we live in tough
economic times. And each of our nations only has one budget and one set of armed
forces.”
NATO and Ireland: working together for peace - NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
at the Institute for International and European Affairs in Dublin, 12 Feb. 2013
“ … we must find a balance between the ambitions and aspirations of the European
Union, on the one hand, and NATO’s own policies and requirements, on the other.“
Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, NATO Deputy Secretary General at the 48th Annual Security
Conference of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee, Oslo, Norway, 11 Feb. 2013
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“La dernière de mes priorités, c’est de continuer à développer les partenariats de
l’OTAN conformément là aussi à l’esprit et à la lettre de Chicago, avec de nombreux
pays partenaires, avec des organisations partenaires, et je citerai en particulier
l’Union Européenne puisque, vous le savez, 21 pays membres de l’Alliance
aujourd’hui sont des membres de l’Union européenne et que cette volonté d’équilibre
transatlantique est présente dans nos esprits, et qu’également l‘Union Européenne a
des projets de développement capacitaires et d’optimisation des capacités, ce que
l’on appelle le pooling and sharing, partage et mise en commun, et qu’évidemment il
faut que ces initiatives soient coordonnées de manière à éviter toute duplication et
au contraire à optimiser les réponses que les uns ou les autres apportent aux
mêmes problèmes que sont les défis capacitaires du futur. Donc des partenariats,
des partenariats aussi avec des pays qui développent des centres d’excellence qui
nous sont fort utiles et qui apportent encore à la compétence de notre organisation.”
Press briefing with General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation
(SACT), 14 Jan. 2013
“(...) we will continue our relationship with the European Defence Agency, which is a
great example of how the EU and NATO can be complementary and mutually
reinforcing.”
Former Supreme Allies Commander Transformation General Stéphane Abrial, Press briefing, 12 Sep.
2012
“Today, we see in Kosovo that political problems remain. They need to be addressed
through dialogue. This is why we support the dialogue between Pristina and
Belgrade, facilitated by the European Union.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press Conference in Pristina, Kosovo, 11 Jul.
2012
“Alongside the European Union’s enlargement, NATO’s Open Door policy has
already transformed this continent fundamentally, and permanently.
Throughout Central and Eastern Europe, NATO membership has been a powerful
incentive for reform. Countries aspiring to membership have restructured their armed
forces and brought them under democratic control. They have enhanced
accountability and transparency. And strengthened the rule of law.
At the same time, the prospect of NATO membership gave confidence to investors.
Which in turn led to economic drive, development and dynamism. And it is no
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coincidence that those countries who have joined NATO over the past thirteen years
have also joined the European Union, or are preparing to do so.
10 years ago, I was Prime Minister of Denmark when my country held the presidency
of the European Union. That year, at the Copenhagen and Prague Summits, we
invited new members to join the European Union, and NATO. These were bold steps
towards a Europe whole, free and at peace.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at Chatham House, London, 04 Jul.
2012
“The way ahead is clear. We all have much to gain from a more capable European
defence. NATO and the European Union can, and should, play complementary and
mutually reinforcing roles in supporting international peace and security.
To carry out this role, Europe must invest sufficiently in our common security. And
Europe must continue to invest in the vital transatlantic bond - in political, economic,
and military terms.
I believe in Europe. I believe in Europe’s commitment to promote peace and security
on this continent and beyond. And I believe in Europe’s ambition to play its part in
the world.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Address to the joint meeing of the European
Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and Sub-committee on Security and Defence on 'A global
perspective for Europe'', 23 Apr. 2012
“In Kosovo, the NATO-led peacekeeping force works jointly with the European
Union Rule of Law Mission to assist and support the Kosovo authorities.
In Afghanistan, a European Union police mission works hand-in-hand with a NATO
training mission in that country.
And off the coast of Somalia, NATO and European Union forces are deployed sideby-side to combat piracy.
These are all examples of concrete cooperation between our two organisations
where it matters most – on operations. And it’s happening right now, as we meet.
But -- for everything the EU and NATO are doing, there is so much more that we
could be doing. More in terms of money and resources that we could be saving. For
our institutions. For our budgets. And for our taxpayers. And not just in our defence
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budgets. In our foreign affairs and development aid budgets, too. If we coordinated
more. Cooperated more. And shared more of our capabilities.
(…)
We know what we need to do. But politically, doing nothing is sometimes easier than
doing what is necessary. We all know how powerful inertia can be.
The common threats we face don’t suffer from political inertia. They are on the move
-- fast. Terrorism. Weapons of mass destruction. Piracy. Cyber attacks. And many
others.
To confront these threats, we need to work together. And to do this successfully, we
need a stronger NATO-EU relationship. A relationship that matches what we are
already doing together on the ground. And that will help to preserve our freedom, our
security, and our prosperity.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, speech to the chairpersons of the foreign affairs
committees of the European Union member’s states parliaments, Copenhagen, 12 Mar. 2012
NATO/UN
“NATO’s Strategic Concept reiterates our firm commitment to the purposes and
principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and to the Washington Treaty, which
affirms the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of
international peace and security.”
NATO and Sweden: Strong Partners in support of the United Nations - Speech by NATO Secretary
General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Sälen, Sweden, 14 Jan. 2013
“On behalf of the NATO Alliance I warmly welcome the re-election of Ban Ki-moon
as United Nations Secretary General for a second five year term. Through his first
term in office, I have come to respect Secretary Ban's leadership through the many
challenges faced by the global community. NATO is, and will remain, a close partner
to the United Nations in Afghanistan, in the Balkans, in the fight against piracy and,
more recently, as citizens across the Middle East forge a new future for themselves
and their children. The United Nations has a critical role to play in these historic
events, and I am glad that Ban ki-Moon will be at the helm for another five years,"
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General welcomes re-election of Ban
Ki-moon as UN Secretary General, 22 Jun. 2011
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Transatlantic Relations
“I'd like to say that the transatlantic link remains strong and steadfast. It is based on
solidarity, unity of purpose and collective decision making that goes on day to day
and has done so decade to decade. And that is what has created a genuine and I
would argue unbreakable bond between the US, Canada and European Allies. And it
has been this way for generations. NATO is a truly unique organization in this
regard. And it is our common home.
... while it's not directly in the NATO domain, but I think they're completely
intertwined, is the idea of a TAFTA or Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement that this
will bind these two areas closer than they have been in areas other than the military.
And we, very strongly, in Estonia, at least, support the idea of EU-US Free Trade
Agreement.”
President Ilves of Estonia at the joint press point with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh
Rasmussen, 18 Mar. 2013
“This transatlantic capability gap is simply not sustainable in the long term. First, the
fiscal crisis has hit the United States as well, and it will be cutting defence
expenditure in the coming years (although hopefully avoiding the meat-axe cuts
required by “sequestration”). The U.S. also has a revised defence strategy that
shifts the emphasis of its force posture from Europe to the Middle East and the AsiaPacific region.
Against this backdrop, the Obama Administration has made it very clear that it wants
European Allies to take on a bigger share of the burden for Alliance defence in
general, and for European defence in particular. And on Capitol Hill, you hear more
and more voices – on both sides of the political aisle – saying European nations are
“freeloading” at the expense of the United States, and preferring social security to
hard security.
(...)
So I would suggest promoting efforts – in both NATO and the European Union – to
work towards a collective European full-spectrum military capability to balance that of
the United States. This would enable European Allies to play a bigger role in future
operations, whether led by NATO or in another framework.”
Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, NATO Deputy Secretary General at the 48th Annual Security
Conference of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee, Oslo, Norway, 11 Feb. 2013
“And like Vice President Biden, I consider US and Europe indispensable partners.
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(...)
NATO will remain an Alliance built on shared values and interests; with its door open
for new members who share those values; and defined by the transatlantic bond.
We know how valuable this bond is. We know it does not come for free.
And we also know that in the decade since 2001, the US share of NATO defence
expenditure has increased from 63% to 72%. While in the last few years, all but
three European Allies have cut their defence budget, in some cases by up to 20
percent.
I am concerned about this gap in defence spending. But I am even more concerned
by the gap in some key capabilities. And we need to take concrete action to correct
this.
For example, I would like to see us moving towards the day when no single Ally
provides more than 50% of certain critical capabilities.
This will require European Allies to do more. And it shows why initiatives by
European Allies are so vital. Because a strong European contribution to NATO’s
capabilities will sustain a strong US commitment to NATO.”
''NATO after ISAF – Staying Successful Together'' - Remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders
Fogh Rasmussen at the Munich Security Conference, 02 Feb. 2013
“Malgré le changement de stratégie amorcé l’année dernière, il est clair que les
Américains demeurent engagés au sein de l’OTAN et qu’ils n’envisagent pas leur
avenir stratégique sans cette organisation dont ils constituent par ailleurs la pierre
angulaire. Ils ont intégré depuis longtemps le fait que pour avoir une Alliance
efficace, les responsabilités doivent être équitablement partagées. ”
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Interview with Défense
Sécurité Internationale, February 2013
“...of course the operation [in Mali] also illustrates that European Allies still need
strong support from the United States in their endeavours to carry out such an
operation. So I think the Mali operation, once again, points to the need for increased
European efforts to fill the gaps when it comes to essential military capabilities such
as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.”
Secretary General’s Monthly Press Conference and launch of the Annual Report for 2012, 31 Jan.
2013
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“In the coming years, the United States will continue its strategic pivot towards the
Pacific. Given that North America and Europe share the same goals of open
markets, open seas, and open political dialogue, there is every reason for Europe to
support that pivot – and even to be part of it. A coordinated, transatlantic approach
can help encourage China to remain a responsible stakeholder in the region and
beyond, while consolidating positive changes as we have seen in Burma.
At the same time, the U.S. pivot will require European nations to be better able to
address security challenges in and around Europe – and in the process, to help
create a fairer sharing of the burdens within NATO. This is a real challenge at a time
of financial pressures and deep cuts in defence spending in most European
countries.”
''Meeting Today's Security Challenges'' - Introductory remarks by Ambassador Alexander Vershbow,
NATO Deputy Secretary General at the ‘Munich Security Conference Kick-Off' - Berlin Germany, 21
Jan. 2013
“... despite all the changes and upheavals of recent years, the transatlantic
community remains essential to sustaining our own security and stability, and for
addressing new challenges and opportunities around the world.”
''Meeting Today's Security Challenges'' - Introductory remarks by Ambassador Alexander Vershbow,
NATO Deputy Secretary General at the ‘Munich Security Conference Kick-Off' - Berlin Germany, 21
Jan. 2013
“The transatlantic bond on which NATO was founded remains as important as ever
for peace and security. And president Obama has shown great leadership in keeping
it strong.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Re-election of US President Obama, 07 Nov.
2012
“I'm awaiting the outcome of the American elections with the same excitement as
anybody else, I think. But I would say that whoever wins I'm sure that the United
States will stay committed to a very strong transatlantic relationship. NATO will
remain a cornerstone in Euro-Atlantic security.
As regards our cooperation with the current administration it has been the very best.
The Obama administration has involved Allies closely in consultations before major
American decisions that might have an impact on Euro-Atlantic security and have an
impact on other Allies.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press conference, 05 Nov. 2012
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“The bond between Europe and the United States was forged by conflict. It was
consecrated by the sacrifice of fallen soldiers. And it was strengthened by our
solidarity in wars - both cold and hot.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen,Speech by NATO Secretary General Anders
Fogh Rasmussen at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Springfield Commission on International
Visitors in Springfield, Illinois, 21 Sep. 2012
“For over sixty years, NATO has guaranteed the security and stability that have
allowed this continent to flourish. We are an Alliance of 28 democracies. A unique
forum for transatlantic dialogue – and transatlantic action. We can launch and
sustain complex joint operations in a way that no one else can. We can work
effectively with partners in a way that no one else can. And at our recent summit in
Chicago, we took important steps to make sure this Alliance can deal with security
challenges despite the economic challenges, and remain fit for the future.
(…)
(…) there is one partnership that stands out above all others. For its importance. Its
uniqueness. And its value to all Allies. That is the transatlantic partnership.
The transatlantic bond lies at the very heart of NATO. It represents our common
belief in freedom, democracy and the rule of law. And it provides shared leadership
between North America and Europe. ”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech at Chatham House, London, 04 Jul.
2012
Le fait que le sommet ait lieu aux Etats-Unis en est un signe, la force du lien
transatlantique, qui reste un des principes fondateurs de l’Alliance, sera mise en
avant. Le message est double : Il s’agit pour les Américains de s’assurer auprès de
leurs alliés européens qu’ils contribuent au « partage du fardeau » et qu’ils
investissent suffisamment dans leur outil de défense pour rester crédibles. Et pour
les Européens, d’obtenir la confirmation qu’ils restent le « partenaire privilégié » des
Américains.
Former Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) General Stéphane Abrial, Sommet de
Chicago 2012, Politique Internationale, May 2012
“At Chicago we will renew the unbreakable bond between Europe and North
America. This bond is created by shared values and common goals.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Opening Statement at the North Atlantic Council
Meeting in Defence Ministers Session, 18 Apr. 2012
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“In Chicago, we will celebrate the vital link between America and Europe. And we will
continue to invest in this transatlantic link, which remains as critical to our security in
the future, as it has been in the past.“
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen,Arrival Statement prior to the NATO
Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers meeting at NATO Headquarters, 18 Apr. 2012
“I have laid out for you my vision for NATO for the year 2020 and beyond. A vision in
which the transatlantic partnership is rebalanced. And in which European and North
American Allies’ shared purpose is met through shared responsibility, and shared
leadership.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Speech on ''NATO 2020 -- Shared leadership for
a shared future'' at the Brussels Forum, 23 Mar. 2012
Other Issues
“There is one final issue that I know is particularly important to you - which was also
mentioned by Minister Enström - , and that is to develop our understanding of how
women are affected by war and conflict, and how they can be part of their resolution.
Because it is vital that women play their full role in peace and security.
(...)
We have already integrated the principles of the UN Security Council Resolution
1325 on women, peace and security in the training of our forces and we have just
started a review of the practical implications of this resolution for NATO-led
operations.“
NATO and Sweden: Strong Partners in support of the United Nations - Speech by NATO Secretary
General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Sälen, Sweden, 14 Jan. 2013
“I can also inform you that the NATO ministers unanimously expressed grave
concerns about reports that the Syrian regime may be considering the use of
chemical weapons. Any such action would be completely unacceptable and a clear
breach of international law. We call for an end to the violence in Syria, violence
which represents a serious threat to security and stability in the region. We fully
support the efforts of the international community to find a peaceful solution.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Press conference following the North Atlantic
Council meeting in Foreign Ministers session, 04 Dec. 2012
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“At the political level, NATO is actively encouraging all its partners to adopt specific
goals related to the promotion of women, peace and security in the various
partnership programmes they develop with our Organization. The overall aim is to
raise awareness and to work towards greater female participation in the areas of
defence and security. Women are still underrepresented in peace and reconciliation
processes and we encourage states and our partners to ensure women’s
participation in prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.
At the operational level, NATO and its Operational Partners in the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Kosovo Force (KFOR) have demonstrated a
strong commitment to promoting the important role that women can play and have
engaged with women leaders and activists to understand their views and
perspectives.
The Alliance has gender advisers and focal points at its various headquarters, as
well as in operational theatres in Afghanistan and Kosovo.”
NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative on UNSCR 1325 Mari Skåre, The role of women’s
civil society organizations in the prevention and resolution of armed conflicts and peace building at the
open debate in the Security Council on Women, Peace and Security, 30 Nov. 2012
“NATO's overall objective - our joint overall objective - is, of course, to prevent
conflicts from happening. When they occur, however, we need to understand that
conflicts affect women and men differently. Women and children are harder hit and
often lose access to basic services, education and economic opportunities. Women
are also subjected to sexual violence as a direct weapon of war. NATO is just
beginning to look at the issues of sexual violence as a weapon of war, and I would
very much learn more from you on how to prevent this from happening.
(…)
So what is the role and responsibilities of NATO as a regional organization, a military
alliance, a security policy organization? How do we walk the talk? How do we
contribute to this agenda?
NATO has three core tasks:



Collective defense
Crisis management and
Cooperative security
(...)
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The UNSCR 1325 calls on states to ensure increased representation of women in
institutions dealing with prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, and the
member states of NATO are working to ensure greater participation of women in
national forces. We need to improve our reporting, but tentative figures shows that
the percentages of female military personnel in Allies forces vary between 4% and
19 %.
(...)
NATO as a military alliance is in a unique position to form an approach to include
women and increase the gender competence in operational settings and crisis
management.
(...)
NATO and its partners aim to make the principles of UNSCR 1325 an integral part of
their everyday business. Cooperation with partners focuses on the enhancement of
political dialogue and practical cooperation in the security and defense fields. And
clearly, women, peace and security belong at the heart our political dialogue.”
NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative on UNSCR 1325 Mari Skåre, Women, peace and
security: NATO’s implementation of UNSCR 1325 at the US-Adriatic Charter Conference
« (…) en ce qui concerne le Mali, l'OTAN comme organisation n'a pas une intention
d'intervenir au Mali. Nous poursuivons la situation étroitement naturellement. Mais
nous n'avons pas une intention d'intervenir au Mali. »
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 01 Oct. 2012
“On Syria, of course, we monitor the situation closely. The issue of chemical
weapons is of course a matter of great concern. But our position remains the same
as it has been; we have no discussions on military options. We do believe that the
right way forward as regards Syria is a political solution.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly press briefing, 01 Oct. 2012
“We can’t ignore what is happening elsewhere in the world, in places such as North
Africa and the Middle East. We simply can’t stop the world and get off.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General of NATO Amb. Alexander Vershbow, 7th Annual Riga Conference,
15 Sep. 2012
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“As I also said in Yerevan yesterday, I am deeply concerned by the Azerbaijani
decision to pardon Ramil Safarov. The act he committed in 2004 was a crime which
should not be glorified, as this damages trust and does not contribute to the peace
process. There must be no return to conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Tensions in this region must be reduced, and concrete steps must be taken to
promote regional cooperation and reconciliation.”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy in Baku,
Azerbaijan, 07 Sep. 2012
“Syria is still a matter of concern. We are following the situation closely.
(…)
We condemn Syria’s shooting down of the Turkish aircraft in the strongest possible
terms. And we condemn the escalating spiral of killing, destruction and human rights
abuses in Syria.
The right response to this crisis remains a political response. And a concerted
response by the international community against a regime that has lost all humanity
and all legitimacy.
That is why I welcome the meeting of the Action Group on Syria in Geneva this
weekend. The international community has come together. It has clearly endorsed a
plan for a democratic transition to end the violence and answer the legitimate
aspirations of the people of Syria.
Now it is vital to enforce that political plan. Every member of the international
community should use its influence and spare no effort to bring an end to the
bloodshed and move Syria forward. This conflict has already gone on for too long. It
has cost too many lives, and put the stability of the whole region at risk. The
international community has a duty to put an end to it – and to do it now. ”
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Monthly Press Briefing, 02 Jul. 2012
“How we address the challenges we face has evolved over these last 60 years. We
must find new ways of working. And we must work with new partners. Turkey is
already leading the way in that effort, building cooporation and consultation with new
partners in vital parts of the world.
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But in the midst of those many changes, the spirit of NATO is unchanged: an
Alliance which is committed to the safety and security of all Allies; and Allies who are
committed to the Alliance. For 60 years, that spirit has kept us strong. “
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Joint press conference with the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, 18 Jan. 2012
“My experience of working for NATO in the past is that time behind words you have
the will. The words are not new but the motivation and the political will is there.
Nations want to do more together because they see, in light of the current crisis, that
they cannot continue doing everything alone.
(…)
We must be sure to develop strong relationship with industry to make them help us
to define the trends, the technology of the future, the future employment of new
technologies and hope through this initiative to reduce both the times, the duration of
the cycles and the costs.”
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General S. Abrial, DefenseNews's Vago
Muradian spoke with SACT Gen. Stephane Abrial, 14 Jan. 2012
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