Leaders of the 31-member NATO Tuesday stressed the Middle East and Africa are “regions of strategic interest”, underlining commitment to boost cooperation with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI).
“We will deepen our political engagements and public diplomacy outreach to our long-standing partners in the Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative,” they said in a communique released on the first-day of the two-day summit in Vilnius this afternoon.
“We will also increase our outreach to relevant regional organisations, including the African Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council,” said the communique.
“We are implementing the Defence Capacity Building packages for Iraq, Jordan, Mauritania, and Tunisia. We will also explore with the Jordanian authorities the possibility of establishing a NATO Liaison Office in Amman,” it noted.
“Allies remain committed in our support to Iraq and its ability to stabilise the country. We recognise the continued efforts and progress of the Government of Iraq and the Iraqi Security Forces to combat ISIS/Da’esh. We encourage further progress in Iraq’s fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” it said.
Further, the communique pointed to “Iran’s support to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has an impact on Euro-Atlantic security,” calling upon Iran to cease its military support to Russia, in particular its transfer of Drones, which have been used to attack critical infrastructure.
“We express our serious concern over Iran’s malicious activities within Allied territory. We also call upon Iran to refrain from destabilising actions, including seizures of maritime vessels, and to play a constructive role in fostering regional stability and peace.” The Communique carried on reading that “we reiterate our clear determination that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon. We remain deeply concerned about Iran’s escalation of its nuclear programme.” The NATO summit also called on Iran to stop all ballistic missile activities inconsistent with UNSCR 2231.
The Communique went on to say that “NATO’s southern neighbourhood, particularly the Middle East, North Africa and Sahel regions, faces interconnected security, demographic, economic, and political challenges.
“Conflict, fragility and instability in Africa and the Middle East directly affect our security and the security of our partners. Countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is essential to our collective defence,” it said.
“As part of a broader effort to better respond collectively to this threat, we will further develop Allies’ capabilities, and continue to engage with the Global Coalition to Defeat Da’esh and with partner countries in order to support their efforts and to help them build their capacity to counter terrorism,” it said.
However, much of the 90-point Communique was focussed on support to Ukraine and condemnation of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.
On Ukraine, NATO leaders stopped short of offering membership saying that the Ukraine will become a member of NATO, but did not say when.
“Allies will continue to support and review Ukraine’s progress on interoperability as well as additional democratic and security sector reforms that are required,” it said.
“We have decided to establish the NATO-Ukraine Council, a new joint body where Allies and Ukraine sit as equal members to advance political dialogue, engagement, cooperation,” it said.
“We welcome the strong support in the UN General Assembly for efforts to promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine,” it said.
Russia “is the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.. In light of its hostile policies and actions, we cannot consider Russia to be our partner. Any change in our relationship depends on Russia halting its aggressive behaviour and fully complying with international law,” it said.
On China, the Communique said Beijing’s stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values.
“China employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up,” it said.
It called on China “to condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, to abstain from supporting Russia’s war effort in any way, to cease amplifying Russia’s false narrative blaming Ukraine and NATO for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.” The Communique condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile programme, and among other issues referred to the situation in the Indo-Pacific Region, NATO funding, defence and security issues.
Source: Kuwait News Agency