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Slovak Delegation Very Satisfied With Results of NATO Summit in Lisbon
Sunday 21 November 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Lisbon/Bratislava, November 21 (TASR-correspondent) - The historic NATO summit in Lisbon has ended, but its conclusions will influence the future of the Alliance in many aspects, senior members of the Slovak delegation have noted.
A draft of the new Strategic Concept was adopted at the summit - a step described by Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic as a "huge success".
Gasparovic represented Slovakia at the summit along with Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda and Defence Minister Lubomir Galko. He likened the new document to a compass for NATO's members and its partners. "The new strategic concept for the next ten years will determine in which spheres and with along with whom we will be active in looking for new means and partners in an attempt to secure our defence," said Gasparovic.
When it comes to the Strategic Concept, the president singled out particular praise for "a re-confirmation of the collective-defence principle, which is stipulated in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. This bases the decision-making process on consensus, incorporates new threats into the strategy and makes reference to energy security".
The first two of these points were Slovakia's main priorities.
Dzurinda also praised the principle of collective defence. "This is the key, this is the secret, this is the magic of our united family, of our alliance," he stated. Slovakia can be very satisfied with the concept, therefore.
Dzurinda said that another essential principle for Slovakia was balance in the weight of individual voices. "Large countries can't just speak, they have to listen to the small members, so that small countries will have the same rights with no barriers to prevent them from expressing their opinions freely on any issue," he stressed.
On Saturday, the delegates held a plenary session on the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. This was attended by the leaders of almost 50 countries, including 28 NATO members, who are taking part in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.
A continual shift in the focus of the mission was announced. As of next year and preferably by 2014, countries will engage in the process of withdrawing their troops, concentrating on training the Afghan security forces rather than increasing their involvement in combat.
"We should impose a little bit of pressure on the Afghan people, so that they will make an effort and learn, so that they'll find the courage to take responsibility for themselves," said Dzurinda, adding that Afghanistan can't rely on help from the international community for ever.
Both Gasparovic and Dzurinda indicated that, if necessary, ISAF instructors will remain in Afghanistan even after 2014, as the key interest is in sustainable peace and democracy in the country.
In this connection, Gasparovic announced at the ISAF summit that Slovakia is due to increase the number of its soldiers in Afghanistan by 10 percent (from 318 to 348).
The date of their withdrawal hasn't been set as yet. According to Dzurinda, Slovakia will proceed in line with its allies. "We won't surprise anybody. We've always been predictable, transparent, reliable partners - and we'll keep it that way," he pledged.
Defence Minister Galko appreciated the fact that the new concept also focuses on modern dangers, such as terrorist cyber-attacks and energy threats. "We have to realise these days that global terrorism isn't only about traditional bombs," he asserted, adding that his ministry is very satisfied with the concept draft.
Galko pointed out that Slovakia is one of six NATO-member states that have set up a centre of excellence in Estonia - a country that came under heavy attack from hackers in 2005. The centre monitors the security situation and develops new technologies that can be used in the fight against cyber-attacks.
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