20 March 2009 - Calling on the Secretary-General of NATO yesterday in Brussels, Robert Walter MP, President of the European Security and Defence Assembly (Assembly of WEU) discussed with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer the need for a concerted approach to the Afghan problem by the international community, with better coordination of civil-military efforts and a further consolidation of the State’s authority to help enhance the Afghan people’s confidence in the stabilisation process.

The regional dimension was a key element of any successful approach to the Afghan issue. A permanent dialogue with the Pakistani political and military authorities was essential in this respect.

The Secretary-General outlined the priorities for the forthcoming NATO Summit on 3 and 4 April, including the adoption of a Declaration on Alliance Security and the launch of work on a new Strategic Concept, as well as a further round of enlargement.

A renewed relationship between NATO and Russia, based on common interests and with the objective to promote stability and security in the entire Euro-Atlantic area, was eminently desirable and would be of mutual advantage.

MM Walter and De Hoop Scheffer warmly welcomed France’s decision on full reintegration into the NATO structures, which should help strengthen interaction between NATO and the EU with positive consequences for the further development of the ESDP. Robert Walter highlighted a number of technical problems affecting the current NATO and EU operations in Kosovo, Bosnia and off the coast of Somalia and requiring urgent solutions.

All the subjects mentioned above figure in reports currently being prepared by the ESDA for its June 2009 Plenary session in Paris (Tuesday 2-Thursday 4 June) [www.assembly-weu.eu]. These questions will also be discussed next Monday 23 March in Brussels at the Assembly’s six-monthly joint meeting with the Ambassadors who make up the WEU Council/EU Political and Security Committee.