Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš satisfied with development process of NATO Strategic Concept and open consultations with member countries [22 Apr 2010]

On 22-23 April in Tallinn, Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš takes part in the Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers. During the first session, foreign ministers discussed NATO's new Strategic Concept and reforms required for the Alliance.

Foreign ministers from NATO member countries shared the opinion that the new Strategic Concept should reflect contemporary reality in security policy, as since 1999 when the previous concept was approved the activities of the Alliance and the scope of issues has considerably expanded both with regard to the territory and to new threats.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstiņš expressed satisfaction at the work to date by the Group of Experts on NATO's new Strategic Concept chaired by former US State Secretary Madeleine Albright, in-depth and comprehensive consultations with each member of the Alliance as well as with NATO partners. "A successful process of the development of NATO's Strategic Concept, laying down guidelines  for the working of the Alliance during the nearest decade is a significant proof to NATO solidarity and constructive dialogue both on political principles and military capabilities," noted the Latvian Foreign Minister.

Minister Riekstiņš, while indicating Latvia's interests in relation to the contents of the NATO Strategic Concept, focused on collective security and the principle of equal security for all the allies as fundamental values of this Alliance. At the same time, the Foreign Minister of Latvia indicated that it was necessary to find adequate solutions to new threats, also in the field of energy security and cybersecurity.

It is expected that in mid-May the Group of Experts on NATO's new Strategic Concept will present their report and recommendations to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Next, during the NATO Summit in Lisbon scheduled for November, the Alliance's heads of state and government may agree about NATO's new Strategic Concept.

On the agenda for NATO Foreign Ministers today is a discussion on NATO open door policy and the situation regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as discussions on nuclear disarmament and nuclear defence.