Menu
19/09/2008
UK Backs NATO Transformation Plans
NATO's Defence Ministers are meeting in London today to discuss how to deliver a more efficient and effective NATO.
Ministers will talk about how NATO can produce quicker response forces and more mobile capabilities. NATO Secretary-General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer then aims to set out a clear roadmap for how NATO goes about this, ahead of the Alliance's Sixtieth Anniversary Summit in Strasbourg and Kehl in April next year.
Secretary of State for Defence Des Browne is a strong advocate of renewed effort to deliver the capabilities needed for current and future operations.
Des Browne said: "NATO is the cornerstone of our Euro-Atlantic security, and it has bound North America and Europe in common purpose for nearly sixty years. That unity of purpose has been displayed in NATO's response to recent events in the Caucasus.
"However over time institutions build bad habits. There remains a mismatch between our aspirations and what we actually deliver. The NATO response force is not getting the forces or capabilities that it needs. We are lacking sufficient capabilities in key areas like intra-theatre air lift. Resources need to be switched from non-deployable capabilities. These capabilities require proper resourcing and investment. This meeting today is about transforming NATO to address all these points - and more - and to ensure that operations are central to NATO's purpose.
"Achieving this will allow us to focus better on the way we approach defence and security in the 21st Century."
Under the chairmanship of Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Des Browne will be calling on fellow NATO Ministers to join him in giving clear political leadership to NATO's transformation, committing to break down obstacles to faster progress and in ensuring that resources are better targeted on the forces we need.
(JM)
Ministers will talk about how NATO can produce quicker response forces and more mobile capabilities. NATO Secretary-General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer then aims to set out a clear roadmap for how NATO goes about this, ahead of the Alliance's Sixtieth Anniversary Summit in Strasbourg and Kehl in April next year.
Secretary of State for Defence Des Browne is a strong advocate of renewed effort to deliver the capabilities needed for current and future operations.
Des Browne said: "NATO is the cornerstone of our Euro-Atlantic security, and it has bound North America and Europe in common purpose for nearly sixty years. That unity of purpose has been displayed in NATO's response to recent events in the Caucasus.
"However over time institutions build bad habits. There remains a mismatch between our aspirations and what we actually deliver. The NATO response force is not getting the forces or capabilities that it needs. We are lacking sufficient capabilities in key areas like intra-theatre air lift. Resources need to be switched from non-deployable capabilities. These capabilities require proper resourcing and investment. This meeting today is about transforming NATO to address all these points - and more - and to ensure that operations are central to NATO's purpose.
"Achieving this will allow us to focus better on the way we approach defence and security in the 21st Century."
Under the chairmanship of Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Des Browne will be calling on fellow NATO Ministers to join him in giving clear political leadership to NATO's transformation, committing to break down obstacles to faster progress and in ensuring that resources are better targeted on the forces we need.
(JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 April 2011
NATO Foreign Ministers Meet In Berlin
Over the next two days, Foreign Secretary William Hague is meeting with Foreign Ministers from the 27 other NATO countries and over 20 partner countries in Berlin. The UK and NATO are working with a broad range of partners to confront security challenges.
NATO Foreign Ministers Meet In Berlin
Over the next two days, Foreign Secretary William Hague is meeting with Foreign Ministers from the 27 other NATO countries and over 20 partner countries in Berlin. The UK and NATO are working with a broad range of partners to confront security challenges.
24 May 2004
More peacekeepers needed for Afghan elections, says Nato
Nato has said that it needs at least another 3,600 troops for its mission in Afghanistan if September's elections are to run smoothly. Returning from a visit to Kabul, Nato Parliamentary Assembly Vice-President and Defence and Security Committee Rapporteur, Pierre Lellouche warned that the NATO mission in Afghanistan was at a "critical juncture".
More peacekeepers needed for Afghan elections, says Nato
Nato has said that it needs at least another 3,600 troops for its mission in Afghanistan if September's elections are to run smoothly. Returning from a visit to Kabul, Nato Parliamentary Assembly Vice-President and Defence and Security Committee Rapporteur, Pierre Lellouche warned that the NATO mission in Afghanistan was at a "critical juncture".
01 December 2003
Britain takes lead role in Nato's chemical defence unit
Britain is to take on a leading role in a new multinational Nato battalion designed to respond to attacks from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons.
Britain takes lead role in Nato's chemical defence unit
Britain is to take on a leading role in a new multinational Nato battalion designed to respond to attacks from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons.
02 December 2004
EU takes over Bosnian peacekeeping role from Nato
The European Union has taken over control of peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina today (December 2), the largest mission the Union has ever embarked upon.
EU takes over Bosnian peacekeeping role from Nato
The European Union has taken over control of peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina today (December 2), the largest mission the Union has ever embarked upon.
08 March 2006
Police report finds suicide bomber response policy ‘fit for purpose’
A review of the UK police service’s response to the threat posed by suicide terrorism has deemed it “fit for purpose” while recommending that police engage more with communities to ensure the policy is understood.
Police report finds suicide bomber response policy ‘fit for purpose’
A review of the UK police service’s response to the threat posed by suicide terrorism has deemed it “fit for purpose” while recommending that police engage more with communities to ensure the policy is understood.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Some bright or sunny intervals and occasional showers, showers most frequent across the west. A longer spell of rain may spread east later this afternoon, more especially across the north. Brisk winds along the north coast. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers dying out this evening then dry and clear for a time. Thickening cloud will bring rain across most areas later in the night. Freshening winds along the east coast. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
