NATO launches into new era with fresh 'strategic concept'
Lisbon (AFP) Nov 19, 2010 - NATO adopted Friday a once-in-a-decade mission statement that will guide the alliance through a sea of new and emerging threats.
The 11-page "strategic concept" replaces a version written in 1999, two years before the 9/11 attacks on the United States forced the 28-nation alliance into an intractable war in Afghanistan.
In it, NATO leaders reaffirm the 61-year-old alliance's core principles, foresee a transformation to be better equipped against modern dangers and call for deepening partnerships in a globalised world.
Following are the main points:
ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE
The document "reconfirms the bond between our nations to defend one another against attack, including against new threats to the safety of our citizens."
MISSILE DEFENCE
NATO will "develop the capability to defend our populations and territories against ballistic missile attack as a core element of our collective defence, which contributes to the indivisible security of the alliance."
It will also "actively seek cooperation on missile defence with Russia and other Euro-Atlantic partners."
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
The concept "commits NATO to the goal of creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons -- but confirms that, as long as there are nuclear weapons in the world, NATO will remain a nuclear Alliance."
"The circumstances in which any use of nuclear weeapons might have to be contemplated are extremely remote," it said.
TERRORISM
Terrorism is identified as a "direct threat to the security of the citizens of NATO countries, and to international stability and prosperity more broadly." Extremist groups "continue to spread to, and in, areas of strategic importance to the Alliance."
CYBER SECURITY
NATO vows to boost its capability to defend against cyber attacks, which are "becoming more frequent, more organised and more costly in the damage they inflict" and can "reach a threshold that threatens national and Euro-Atlantic prosperity, security and stability."
LESSONS FROM AFGHANISTAN
"The lessons learned from NATO operations, in particular in Afghanistan and the Western Balkans, make it clear that a comprehensive political, civilian and military approach is necessary for effective crisis management."
PARTNERSHIPS
The alliance will seek to "enhance" its partnerships with countries and organisations around the world, including with the United Nations, the European Union and former Cold War foe Russia.
RUSSIAN RELATIONS
"NATO-Russia cooperation is of strategic importance as it contributes to creating a common space of peace, stability and security. NATO poses no threat to Russia."
