Tale til NATO-toppmøtet 2010

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Prime Minister Socrates,

Secretary-General,

Colleagues,

First of all, I would also like to express my gratitude to our hosts, to the Secretary General and to all those who have helped prepare this Summit.

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I feel congratulations are in order on the openness and transparency of the development of NATO’s New Strategic Concept. 

The process has secured a sense of ownership and broad support for the new Concept.

I would like to underline some of the Concept’s key elements:

First, that it strikes the right balance in addressing our security concerns.

Both those at a strategic distance and those on allied territory and its periphery.

This balance is vital for our common long-term security. 

Second, that we so clearly reaffirm our core commitments under the Washington Treaty.

Article 5 and collective defence continue to be at the heart of the Alliance.

Third, the emphasis on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. 

We must continue to reduce our reliance on nuclear weapons.

We should review NATO’s deterrence and nuclear policy.

A first step would be to introduce negative security assurances on the lines of the new US nuclear policy.

This would be an important signal to the world community.

The role of short-range nuclear weapons in Europe should also be reviewed.

In order to meet new security challenges and follow up the New Strategic Concept, we need to reform our organisation.

Secretary-General, you have Norway’s full support in modernising NATO headquarters and in reforming and streamlining NATO’s command structure.

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Finally, we must continue to build partnerships with others.

In Afghanistan, our partners are taking on important commitments and making great sacrifices.

Our security and stability depend on strong strategic partnerships.

We must ensure NATO’s continued relevance in the efforts to meet future global challenges.

Thank you.