NATO releases sweeping Chicago Summit Declaration
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E-mail Xinhua, May 21, 2012
NATO on early Monday morning released a sweeping summit declaration adopted by heads of state and government as they gathered for the security bloc's summit in Chicago.
The Chicago Summit Declaration, adopted on Sunday, reaffirmed member countries' commitment to the transatlantic alliance, charted the way forward in military operations in Afghanistan, and took steps to ensure the alliance has the capabilities to deal with the full range of threats. It also made commitment to strengthen the organization's partnerships.
According to the declaration, NATO seeks to use smart defense as an approach to deal with complex security challenges amid financial difficulties, saying "it is more important than ever to make the best use of our resources and to continue to adapt our forces and structures."
On Afghanistan, NATO said its "irreversible transition" of full security responsibility from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is on track for completion by the end of 2014. It pledges to provide "strong and long-term political and practical support through our Enduring Partnership with Afghanistan" after the withdrawal.
NATO said it is "ready to work towards establishing, at the request of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, a new post-2014 mission of a different nature in Afghanistan, to train, advise and assist the ANSF, including the Afghan Special Operations Forces."
In relations with Russia, the declaration said "NATO-Russia cooperation is of strategic importance as it contributes to creating a common space of peace, stability and security."
It said the bloc remains determined to build a lasting and inclusive peace with Russia in the Euro-Atlantic area.
It noted the contributions of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC), admitting NATO and Russia "differ on specific issues and there is a need to improve trust, reciprocal transparency, and predictability in order to realise the full potential of the NRC." It said NATO intends to raise with Russia allied concerns about Russia's "stated intentions regarding military deployments close to Alliance borders."
The declaration also discussed the situation in the Middle East,reaffirming NATO's planned expansion and its partnership with countries around the world.
NATO is having its 25th summit in Chicago, and leaders focused their discussions on alliance capabilities in the age of austerity during the first day of their meetings.
They are to focus on future commitments to Afghanistan on Monday.
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