8 Feb 2010 9:09
NATO should connect with broader international system source : Afghan Voice Agency(AVA) |
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We are talking here about a group of nations consulting, formally or informally, on security. Nothing more," Rasmussen said.
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NATO's transformation should be taken to a new level by connecting the alliance with the broader international system in entirely new ways, including developing closer ties with countries such as China, India and Pakistan, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Sunday.
"In an age of globalized insecurity, our territorial defense must begin beyond our borders," said Rasmussen at the Munich Security Conference. "Our success in preserving our shared security, including through NATO, increasingly depends on how well we cooperate with others."
The alliance's head noted a key lesson of the NATO's troubled mission in Afghanistan was that NATO "need an entirely new compact between all the actors on the security stage."
"India has a stake in Afghan stability. China too. And both could help further develop and rebuild Afghanistan. The same goes for Russia. Basically, Russia shares our security concerns," Rasmussen said.
He also argued that NATO should become "the hub of a network of security partnerships and a center for consultation on international security issues" in dealing with threats to its members.
But it didn't mean NATO would be a competitor to the United Nations. "That is not possible, nor is it desirable," he said.
"We are talking here about a group of nations consulting, formally or informally, on security. Nothing more," Rasmussen said.
NATO has 28 member nations, but its partnership involves 44 countries in Afghanistan, as well as ties with other regional fora, such as the group of Mediterranean nations.
"In an age of globalized insecurity, our territorial defense must begin beyond our borders," said Rasmussen at the Munich Security Conference. "Our success in preserving our shared security, including through NATO, increasingly depends on how well we cooperate with others."
The alliance's head noted a key lesson of the NATO's troubled mission in Afghanistan was that NATO "need an entirely new compact between all the actors on the security stage."
"India has a stake in Afghan stability. China too. And both could help further develop and rebuild Afghanistan. The same goes for Russia. Basically, Russia shares our security concerns," Rasmussen said.
He also argued that NATO should become "the hub of a network of security partnerships and a center for consultation on international security issues" in dealing with threats to its members.
But it didn't mean NATO would be a competitor to the United Nations. "That is not possible, nor is it desirable," he said.
"We are talking here about a group of nations consulting, formally or informally, on security. Nothing more," Rasmussen said.
NATO has 28 member nations, but its partnership involves 44 countries in Afghanistan, as well as ties with other regional fora, such as the group of Mediterranean nations.
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