Ping
Perhaps Russia is sending two messages with one flyby.
Some background:
Norway Society & Policy
NATO
Co-operation within NATO was given new momentum by three events in 2002: the NATO-Russia Council was established in May, a very successful summit took place in Prague in November, and major progress was made in co-operation between the EU and NATO in December. As the decisions taken in Prague are implemented, they will enhance the effectiveness of the Alliance in meeting new security and foreign policy challenges.
It is already apparent that the emerging co-operation between NATO and Russia is having a positive impact on Norway’s own relations with its neighbour to the east. The challenge now is to give substance to the NATO-Russia Council.
NATO’s role in promoting European integration is being continued. The accession talks with the seven countries invited in Prague to join the Alliance are proceeding on schedule.
With regard to partnerships, the greatest challenge is to reach agreement on realistic partnership programmes and to implement them in a way that will ensure continued interest in the co-operation on the part of the allies and the individual partners, and that the co-operation continues to be of a high standard. This is an area where Norway has been active, particularly as regards co-operation with Finland and Sweden.
The efforts to implement the decisions taken in Prague for the military reorganisation of the Alliance are in full swing. NATO’s ability to transform and adapt itself has always been its strength, and it is essential if the organisation is to continue to play a leading role.
The breakthrough that took place at the EU summit in December led to a more dynamic and focused co-operation between NATO and the EU. A strategic partnership that will promote European security is gradually emerging.
One of Norway’s goals is to do its part in helping the EU develop an effective crisis management capability. Norwegian troops have therefore been made available for the Helsinki Headline Goal. Norway wishes to take an active part in the planning and preparation of EU crisis operations as well as in the operations themselves, and to safeguard important Norwegian interests in relation to the EU.
The European members of the Alliance have emphasised that the USA must take due account of the views of its allies. Although it is generally recognised that the USA, because of its superior military power, is the leading power in the Alliance, it is important for NATO to find solutions that are acceptable to all its members. This means that all member states must place emphasis on the things that unite them, especially the fundamental values on which the Alliance is based.
NATO’s visibility may decline as the EU assumes a growing share of the responsibility for security and crisis management in Europe. Collective defence, as laid down in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, will continue to be a task for NATO.
During the work on the EU constitution certain countries have expressed a desire for a European security and defence union.
As a non-member of the EU, it is crucial for Norway that NATO continues to be the main body for both defence and security policy discussions among the allies.
Therefore, Norway's task will be to seek to ensure that the Alliance is as effective as possible. We will also take an active part in EU decision-making processes and operations in order to ensure that our interests are safeguarded as regards the EU.
By the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norway Society and Policy NATO
Bump.