The Future of NATO and European Defence

UK Parliament Defence Committee Session 2007-08, 20 March 2008, Publication of Report – Conclusions – The Future of NATO and European Defense: Ninth Report of Session 2007-08

  • “NATO’s achievements over the past sixty years in ensuring the stability and prosperity of Europe are remarkable. But the NATO Summit at Bucharest in April 2008 takes place at a time when the Alliance’s reputation and credibility are being questioned in relation to Afghanistan. NATO’s command of the multinational International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) mission has become a key test of the Alliance’s capacity to adjust to the demands of today’s security environment. Bringing stability to Afghanistan, and creating the conditions in which reconstruction and development can occur, is, and must remain, at the top of NATO’s agenda. It requires a sustained long-term military and financial commitment by all members of the Alliance. While failure in Afghanistan would not herald the demise of NATO, it would deal a severe blow to allied unity and prompt the United States to question the Alliance’s continuing utility. NATO must succeed in Afghanistan, but it faces major challenges in generating sufficient numbers of forces without restrictions upon their use. Reaching new agreements on a more equitable sharing of the burden of operations, along with a clearer definition of success in Afghanistan, will be key tests of the Bucharest Summit.”
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