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Opening statement by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the press point at the Allied Command Transformation Seminar, Washington DC

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

28 Feb. 2012

Opening statement

by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the press point at the Allied Command Transformation Seminar, Washington DC

I am very glad to be back on this side of the Atlantic. And to be part of the regular seminar hosted by General Abrial and NATO’s Allied Command Transformation.

We are meeting at a time when we face many challenges -- and this is the time when we must show renewed resolve.

Afghanistan remains NATO's top operational priority and recent days have been challenging for all of us. For our commanders and our service men and women. For the 50 Allies and partners who have committed troops and trainers to ISAF -- the biggest coalition in history. And for our partners in the Afghan security forces and the people of Afghanistan.

I deplore the violence we have seen during the last week. But across the country, ISAF troops are showing great restraint and professionalism. And Afghan security forces have shown considerable courage in their efforts to minimise the violence.

We will not allow the extremists to weaken our resolve. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Afghan partners. And we will not lose sight of our shared goal. We are in Afghanistan to build stability and security for the Afghan people – which is in the interest of our own security. That is our commitment, and that commitment remains unchanged. And our Chicago summit in May will make clear that we stand firm on that commitment.

At Chicago, we will also build on what we discussed at this seminar -- how to sustain the operations of today and face the security challenges of tomorrow, by continuing to strengthen our core capabilities and to transform our forces.

We cannot tell how long this economic turmoil will last. But its consequences will be with us for a long time to come. And in good times and bad, NATO has been the best investment Allies have made. For over sixty years, it has successfully delivered security and stability. That’s why we need to continue investing in it – militarily, politically, and financially. So that, by the end of this decade and into the next, we emerge stronger as an Alliance, not weaker.

And the key is smart defence. Smart defence is about prioritization, specialization and cooperation. We all know that it will be increasingly difficult for individual allies to acquire expensive military equipment on their own. By by pooling and sharing resources, by multinational cooperation and by helping each other, they can better afford investments in the necessary military capabilities.

At our summit in Chicago, I expect all Allies to commit to long-term goals for the capabilities we need and for reinforcing the connection between our forces. And I expect them to back up that vision with concrete projects. So that, in a fast-changing world, we can do better with what we have. And stay lean, but strong.

That is our Chicago challenge: to lay the foundation of the NATO of the future – towards 2020 and beyond.

And I would like to thank General Abrial for all the effort that he and his team have put into making that happen.You have, as you mentioned, served as one of my special representatives on smart defence, travelling to capitals all over the Alliance. You have promoted the concept of smart defence, and achieved backing for a number of concrete projects, so I thank you very much for all the work you have done.