NATO to “step up” political and practical support to partners, including Bosnia

NEWS 29.06.202216:07 0 komentara
EUROPA PRESS/E. Parra. POOL / ContactoPhoto / Profimedia

NATO Heads of State and Government issued a Declaration after their meeting in Madrid announcing that the alliance will “step up tailored political and practical support to partners, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and the Republic of Moldova” in light of the changed security environment in Europe.

“We face a critical time for our security and international peace and stability. We stand together in unity and solidarity and reaffirm the enduring transatlantic bond between our nations,” the Madrid Summit Declaration says.

The participants stressed that NATO is a defensive alliance and poses no threat to any country, but the “foundation of our collective defence and the essential forum for security consultations and decisions among Allies.”

They strongly condemned “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”, stressing that it gravely undermines international security and stability and represents “a blatant violation of international law.”

“Russia’s appalling cruelty has caused immense human suffering and massive displacements, disproportionately affecting women and children. Russia bears full responsibility for this humanitarian catastrophe,” the Declaration said, adding that Russia must enable safe, unhindered, and sustained humanitarian access and that the international community must hold accountable all those responsible for war crimes.

The NATO leaders also accused Russia of intentionally exacerbating a food and energy crisis, “affecting billions of people around the world, including through its military actions” and noted that their countries are working together to support international efforts to enable exports of Ukrainian grain.

“We will continue to counter Russia’s lies and reject its irresponsible rhetoric. Russia must immediately stop this war and withdraw from Ukraine. Belarus must end its complicity in this war,” the Declaration said.

The alliance said it is “confronted by cyber, space, and hybrid and other asymmetric threats, and by the malicious use of emerging and disruptive technologies.”

“We face systemic competition from those, including the People’s Republic of China, who challenge our interests, security, and values and seek to undermine the rules-based international order. Instability beyond our borders is also contributing to irregular migration and human trafficking,” it said.

The NATO leaders endorsed “a new Strategic Concept” which sets out NATO’s three core tasks of deterrence and defence; crisis prevention and management; and cooperative security. They announced they will “ continue and further step up political and practical support” to Ukraine as it continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russian aggression.

“Jointly with Ukraine, we have decided on a strengthened package of support. This will accelerate the delivery of non-lethal defence equipment, improve Ukraine’s cyber defences and resilience, and support modernising its defence sector in its transition to strengthen long-term interoperability. In the longer term, we will assist Ukraine, and support efforts on its path of post-war reconstruction and reforms,” their Declaration said.

NATO also plans to “further enhance” its partnerships and seek concrete areas for cooperation to address shared security concerns.

“In light of the changed security environment in Europe, we have decided on new measures to step up tailored political and practical support to partners, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and the Republic of Moldova. We will work with them to build their integrity and resilience, develop capabilities, and uphold their political independence. We will also enhance our capacity-building support to partners from the South,” it said.

They reaffirmed their commitment to NATO’s Open Door Policy and formally invited Finland and Sweden to become members of the alliance.

“The accession of Finland and Sweden will make them safer, NATO stronger, and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure. The security of Finland and Sweden is of direct importance to the Alliance, including during the accession process,” it said.

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