Thewesternbalkans
On 10 July 2024, the Heads of State and Government had a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C.
During the meeting they issued a Joint Declaration with following most important messages:
– The Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in Washington to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Alliance. Forged to preserve peace, NATO remains the strongest Alliance in history.
– Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, is iron-clad. NATO continue to ensure the collective defence against all threats and from all directions, based on a 360-degree approach, to fulfil NATO’s three core tasks of deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security.
– NATO leaders welcomed the thirty second and newest Ally, Sweden. The historic accession of Finland and Sweden makes them safer and the Alliance stronger.
– Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has shattered peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and gravely undermined global security. Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security. Terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, is the most direct asymmetric threat to the security of the Alliance.
– Strategic competition, instability, and recurrent shocks define NATO broader security environment. Conflict, fragility and instability in Africa and the Middle East directly affect the NATO security and the security of its partners. Where present, these trends, among others, contribute to forced displacement, fuelling human trafficking and irregular migration. Iran’s destabilising actions are affecting Euro-Atlantic security. The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) stated ambitions and coercive policies continue to challenge our interests, security and values. The deepening strategic partnership between Russia and the PRC and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut and reshape the rules-based international order, are a cause for profound concern. NATO member states are confronted by hybrid, cyber, space, and other threats and malicious activities from state and non-state actors.
– At this 75th anniversary Summit, NATO is taking further steps to strengthen its deterrence and defence, bolster its long-term support to Ukraine so it can prevail in its fight for freedom, and deepen NATO’s partnerships. Leaders warmly welcomed Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and the European Union.
– Leaders welcomed that more than two-thirds of Allies have fulfilled their commitment of at least 2% of GDP annual defence spending and commend those Allies who have exceeded it.
– NATO has undertaken the biggest reinforcement of its collective defence in a generation. Member states are delivering on the Madrid and Vilnius Summit decisions to modernise NATO for a new era of collective defence. Leaders cannot discount the possibility of an attack against Allies’ sovereignty and territorial integrity that’s why they have strengthened the deterrence and defence posture to deny any potential adversary any possible opportunities for aggression.
– NATO member states are resolved to deter and defend against all air and missile threats by enhancing the Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), based on a 360-degree approach.
– Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of Alliance security. The fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression. As long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.
– Transatlantic defence industrial cooperation is a critical part of NATO’s deterrence and defence.
– Leaders reiterate that hybrid operations against Allies could reach the level of an armed attack and could lead the North Atlantic Council to invoke Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.
– NATO leaders reaffirmed their solidarity with the people of Ukraine in the heroic defence of their nation, their land, and shared values. A strong, independent, and democratic Ukraine is vital for the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area. Ukraine’s fight for its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders directly contributes to Euro-Atlantic security. Leaders welcomed announcements by Allies to provide Ukraine with critical additional air defence systems as well as other military capabilities. To help Ukraine defend itself today, and deter Russian aggression in the future, wthey have decided: to establish the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) to coordinate the provision of military equipment and training for Ukraine by Allies and partners. They also announced a pledge of long term assistance and military equipment, assistance, and training to support Ukraine in building a force capable of defeating Russian aggression. Through proportional contributions, Allies intend to provide a minimum baseline funding of €40 billion within the next year, and to provide sustainable levels of security assistance for Ukraine to prevail.
– Leaders condemned Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and coercive nuclear signalling, including its announced stationing of nuclear weapons in Belarus, which demonstrate a posture of strategic intimidation.
– The European Union remains a unique and essential partner for NATO. NATO-EU cooperation has reached unprecedented levels. Practical cooperation has been strengthened and expanded on space, cyber, climate and defence, as well as emerging and disruptive technologies. In the context of Ukraine, NATO-EU cooperation has become more significant. NATO recognises the value of a stronger and more capable European defence that contributes positively to transatlantic and global security and is complementary to, and interoperable with NATO.
In the Joint Declaration there is a special place for the Western Balkans and the Black Sea regions: “which are of strategic importance for the Alliance. NATO remains strongly committed to their security and stability and will continue to enhance the political dialogue and practical cooperation with the Western Balkans in order to support reforms, regional peace and security, and counter malign influence, including disinformation, hybrid, and cyber threats, posed by both state and non-state actors. Democratic values, the rule of law, domestic reforms, and good neighbourly relations are vital for regional cooperation and Euro-Atlantic integration, and they look to continued progress in this regard. Leaders remain committed to NATO’s continued engagement in the Western Balkans, including through the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR).”
Leaders reaffirm their continued support to Allied regional efforts aimed at upholding security, safety, stability and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea region including, as appropriate, through the 1936 Montreux Convention. They welcomed the activation by the three littoral Allies of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group.
NATO supports the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of interested countries in the region of Western Balkans.
NATO’s southern neighbourhood provides opportunities for cooperation on issues of mutual interest. Through the partnerships leaders aim to foster greater security and stability in the Middle East and Africa, contributing to peace and prosperity in the region.
NATO leaders will continue integrating climate change considerations into all core tasks and will enhance our energy security efforts. NATO remains committed to becoming the leading international organisation for understanding and adapting to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather on security. Energy is a critical capability enabler to NATO’s core tasks and military operations. We are committed to ensuring secure, resilient, and sustainable energy supplies, including fuel, to our military forces. NATO and Allies are adapting to energy transition in a coherent and coordinated manner. As we adapt our Alliance to the ongoing energy transition, we will ensure military capability, effectiveness, and interoperability.
NATO leaders wish to thank Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for his extraordinary leadership over a decade at the helm of the Alliance, during testing times and pledged full support to his successor, Mark Rutte.
Comments: As it was expected, the NATO summit has been concentrated on two main questions – improving deterrence and defence of the Alliance and its member states as well as all possible assistance for Ukraine.
After the beginning of the Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, HATO has reacted very strong on direction to develop its own capabilities and consolidation of efforts of member states. Last decisions on coordination of the assistance for Ukraine is much more useful than the repeated many times “assistance as long as it takes”.
For the non–member states in the WB there is an engagement of NATO for their integration in the Euro–Atlantic area, but without any concrete proposals.
During the summit there were also some strange acts of the Hungarian delegation as the speech of the Foreign Minister Siarto and the visit of Viktor Orban to Donald Trump which can be considered as a very bad message to the other participants in the meeting in Washington.
