Issued by the Heads of State and
Government
participating in the meeting of
the North Atlantic Council
in Washington, D.C. on 24th April
1999
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We, the Heads of State and Government
of the member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in
Washington to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NATO and to set forth our
vision of the Alliance of the 21st century. The North Atlantic Alliance,
founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule
of law, remains the basis of our collective defence; it embodies the transatlantic
link that binds North America and Europe in a unique defence and security
partnership.
(...)
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The NATO of the 21st century starts
today - a NATO which retains the strengths of the past and has new missions,
new members and new partnerships. To this end, we have:
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approved an updated Strategic Concept;
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reaffirmed our commitment to the enlargement
process of the Alliance and approved a Membership Action Plan for countries
wishing to join;
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completed the work on key elements of
the Berlin Decisions on building the European Security and Defence Identity
within the Alliance and decided to further enhance its effectiveness;
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launched the Defence Capabilities Initiative;
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intensified our relations with Partners
through an enhanced and more operational Partnership for Peace and strengthened
our consultations and co-operation within the Euro-Atlantic Partnership
Council;
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enhanced the Mediterranean Dialogue;
and
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decided to increase Alliance efforts
against weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
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As part of the Alliance's adaptation
to the new security challenges, we have updated our Strategic Concept to
make it fully consistent with the Alliance's new security environment.
The updated Concept reaffirms our commitment to collective defence and
the transatlantic link; takes account of the challenges the Alliance now
faces; presents an Alliance ready and with a full range of capabilities
to enhance the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area; reaffirms
our commitment to building the ESDI within the Alliance; highlights the
enhanced role of partnership and dialogue; underlines the need to develop
defence capabilities to their full potential to meet the spectrum of Alliance
missions, including forces which are more deployable, sustainable, survivable
and able to engage effectively; and provides guidance to the NATO Military
Authorities to this end.
(...)
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We reaffirm our commitment to preserve
the transatlantic link, including our readiness to pursue common security
objectives through the Alliance wherever possible. We are pleased with
the progress achieved in implementing the Berlin decisions and reaffirm
our strong commitment to pursue the process of reinforcing the European
pillar of the Alliance on the basis of our Brussels Declaration of 1994
and of the principles agreed at Berlin in 1996. We note with satisfaction
that the key elements of the Berlin decisions are being put in place. These
include flexible options for the selection of a European NATO Commander
and NATO Headquarters for WEU-led operations, as well as specific terms
of reference for DSACEUR and an adapted CJTF concept. Close linkages between
the two organisations have been established, including planning, exercises
(in particular a joint crisis management exercise in 2000) and consultation,
as well as a framework for the release and return of Alliance assets and
capabilities.
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We welcome the new impetus given to
the strengthening of a common European policy in security and defence by
the Amsterdam Treaty and the reflections launched since then in the WEU
and - following the St. Malo Declaration - in the EU, including the Vienna
European Council Conclusions. This is a process which has implications
for all Allies. We confirm that a stronger European role will help contribute
to the vitality of our Alliance for the 21st century, which is the foundation
of the collective defence of its members. In this regard:
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We acknowledge the resolve of the European
Union to have the capacity for autonomous action so that it can take decisions
and approve military action where the Alliance as a whole is not engaged;
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As this process goes forward, NATO and
the EU should ensure the development of effective mutual consultation,
co-operation and transparency, building on the mechanisms existing between
NATO and the WEU;
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We applaud the determination of both
EU members and other European Allies to take the necessary steps to strengthen
their defence capabilities, especially for new missions, avoiding unnecessary
duplication;
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We attach the utmost importance to ensuring
the fullest possible involvement of non-EU European Allies in EU-led crisis
response operations, building on existing consultation arrangements within
the WEU. We also note Canada's interest in participating in such operations
under appropriate modalities.
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We are determined that the decisions
taken in Berlin in 1996, including the concept of using separable but not
separate NATO assets and capabilities for WEU-led operations, should be
further developed.
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On the basis of the above principles
and building on the Berlin decisions, we therefore stand ready to define
and adopt the necessary arrangements for ready access by the European Union
to the collective assets and capabilities of the Alliance, for operations
in which the Alliance as a whole is not engaged militarily as an Alliance.
The Council in Permanent Session will approve these arrangements, which
will respect the requirements of NATO operations and the coherence of its
command structure, and should address:
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Assured EU access to NATO planning capabilities
able to contribute to military planning for EU-led operations;
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The presumption of availability to the
EU of pre-identified NATO capabilities and common assets for use in EU-led
operations;
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Identification of a range of European
command options for EU-led operations, further developing the role of DSACEUR
in order for him to assume fully and effectively his European responsibilities;
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The further adaptation of NATO's defence
planning system to incorporate more comprehensively the availability of
forces for EU-led operations.
We task the Council in Permanent
Session to address these measures on an ongoing basis, taking into account
the evolution of relevant arrangements in the EU. The Council will make
recommendations to the next Ministerial meeting for its consideration.
(...)
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The Alliance and the European Union
share common strategic interests. Our respective efforts in building peace
in the former Yugoslavia are complementary. Both organisations make decisive
contributions to peace and stability on the European continent. Co-operation
between the two organisations on topics of common concern, to be decided
on a case-by-case basis, could be developed when it enhances the effectiveness
of action by NATO and the EU.
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The Alliance, in order to adapt its
structures to better prepare it to meet future challenges, launched a comprehensive
programme including the continuing adaptation of NATO's command structure.
Accordingly, Allies welcome the activation decision of the implementation
phase of the Alliance's new command structure. This will ensure NATO's
ability to carry out the whole range of its missions more effectively and
flexibly; support an enlarged Alliance and our more operational relationship
with Partners; and provide, as part of the development of the ESDI within
NATO, for European command arrangements able to prepare, support, command
and conduct WEU-led operations. After successful trials, we have embarked
on the full implementation of the CJTF concept, giving us an important
new tool for crisis management in the next century. Allies also welcome
the full integration of Spain into NATO's military structure from January
this year, another significant milestone for the Alliance.
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