Ladies and gentlemen,
NATO is at a crossroad. We are
facing challenges in Afghanistan. In developing new capabilities.
In maintaining NATO as the primary forum for
real transatlantic political
consultation. We must move NATO forward. The upcoming Summit in
Riga will be important.
Norway’s main objective – towards
Riga and beyond – is to continue to be an active and central player
in transatlantic relations. A capable and relevant NATO is in
Norway’s interest. And clearly, it is in the interest of allies on
both sides of the Atlantic.
My government is a strong proponent
for effective multilateralism. We make this clear in the way we
contribute to international military operations. We support the
operations of the multilateral organizations. Such as the UN and
NATO. But, we are also realists. We understand that these
multilateral organizations and institutions will not be used unless
they are effective. This is why Norway is a driving force for
change. The UN and NATO are needed more than ever. But they must be
more effective in dealing with the security challenges of today and
tomorrow.
I would like to thank the hosts for
arranging this conference only a few weeks before the Riga Summit.
In fact, the timing could not be better.
I am very pleased to see that this
conference is
a true transatlantic venture.
Bringing US and European institutions together is clearly in the
spirit of NATO. And it is necessary if we are going to be able to
develop the Alliance in the right direction.
The International Security Situation – and NATO’s Response
In a broad perspective, there are
at least four sets of international security challenges facing
NATO:
First, the challenge of managing shifts in the global
distribution of power. As we set the direction for NATO’s further
development we need to take a long term strategic perspective. As a
minimum, the consequences of the increased influence of China and
India must be taken into account. We also see that Russia is
experiencing impressive economic growth. Russia is developing into
a more confident player on the international arena.
We are seeing the outline of a new
multipolar global security system. This realization should also
guide NATO in its political consultations. The Alliance should not
be afraid to consult on the most pressing global security issues of
the day. Even when NATO military action is unrealistic or even
clearly unnecessary. In this new multipolar system, we need real
transatlantic political consultations more than ever.
NATO must develop new partnership
relations around the globe. With nations who contribute to NATO’s
operations and share our values. I am not saying that NATO should
become a global organization. But the Alliance should have a
global perspective on
security.
A second challenge is related to the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction. In particular to “states of concern”.
Handling this severe matter is a major effort for the international
community.
The third set of challenges consists of several emerging
issues with possible security implications. Like energy security,
climate change and poverty issues. Of these, energy is the most
recent addition to the agenda. All allies have strong energy
interests. Norway certainly has major interests connected to our
oil and gas resources. But the issue of energy security means
different things to energy providers than it does to energy
consumers. But we all have an interest in securing the production,
transport and delivery of the energy that keeps our societies
running and productive.
Once again it is still early to
identify clearly what NATO’s response should be. We certainly don’t
want to militarize the issue. But I am convinced that NATO has a
role in energy security. Maybe it should be limited to
consultations. Maybe we should look into possibilities for securing
sea lines of communications. This is still an open question, but we
need to develop the issue further.
And finally the challenges resulting from failed states –
which in combination with terrorism can be a major threat to the
international system.
Each of these four sets of security
challenges will have significant impact on the future development
of NATO. However, at this point in time, NATO’s main operational
priority is in Afghanistan. This is also Norway’s main operational
priority. The challenges we are facing in Afghanistan reflects
several of the broader sets of security challenges. Most notably,
the challenges connected to failed states.
The challenges in Afghanistan are
complex. I recently visited Afghanistan. And I personally witnessed
some of the critical challenges in the country.
During my visit, I met a little boy
at the hospital in Meymaneh. A kerosene lamp had exploded in his
home. The boy had severe burn injuries. But he was alive. His
younger brother was not so fortunate. He was wounded in the same
explosion. But had died only hours before.
The boy I met received medical
treatment. At a hospital. This kind of treatment was not available
only a few months earlier. The boy was treated at a local hospital
where Norwegian medical personnel have established a basic
treatment facility. With life saving equipment. Local Afghanis are
now being trained to take care of situations like this. And
thousands of people now have access to medical services that have
not been available in the area before.
In many ways this story illustrates
the reason for international operations in failed states. It is to
facilitate development. To relieve suffering and promote basic
human rights. But in order to develop local health care, education,
transport, the rule of law, and all the other elements of “good
governance” – there must be security. And therefore there must be a
military presence. The challenge is that this presence must be
robust enough to establish the necessary authority. While at the
time being flexible enough to avoid becoming a part of the
problem.
So, how should NATO respond to the
complex set of challenges of Afghanistan? Are we able to? To
succeed in Afghanistan will be difficult. But we have to try. To
increase the likelihood of success, we need resolve. Like Abraham
Lincoln once said:
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more
important than any one thing.
I am confident that the alliance
has the resolve to succeed. I am confident that NATO will succeed
in helping the afghani people build a better future for themselves
- and for their children.
However – maybe it is time to look
more closely at the tools and methods we use to achieve these
goals, and how we combine them. How should we prepare and improve
in order to be even better suited to meet similar challenges in the
future?
One answer is simple, yet very
difficult: We
must enhance the coordination of
civilian and military efforts. Military forces are absolutely
necessary to establish a minimum level of security. But military
forces alone will never be successful in establishing lasting
conditions for peace, stability and development. We need a
comprehensive strategy. Based on experiences from Afghanistan, I
suggest two areas for improvement:
First, the international community must coordinate
civilian efforts in a better way. Today the civilian aspects of our
engagements, in Afghanistan and elsewhere, are often fragmented and
uncoordinated. This means that the overall results are less
effective. Our Foreign Minister raised this issue at the NATO
ministerial in New York recently. Norway will continue play an
active part in bringing this issue forward.
Second, we need more coordination between civilian and
military efforts. Reconstruction and development can not take place
without the necessary level of security. Our military security
operations are in vain if reconstruction and development do not
follow. An overarching policy that captures all aspects should form
the basis for NATO’s military contribution to operations. Agreement
on such an approach should be an important deliverable for the Riga
Summit.
NATO must develop its ability to
coordinate better with other organizations involved in areas where
our forces operate. We must cooperate closely with the UN and the
EU. With the World Bank and others, including NGO’s.
To me it is clear that we need a
dialogue at the strategic, institutional level. In particular we
should be more focused on how NATO better can support and cooperate
with the UN.
Norwegian defence policy priorities towards Riga
Norwegian security and defence
policy is very closely linked to NATO. We are aware that NATO faces
many different challenges, requiring different responses.
Therefore, the Alliance must continue to develop modern,
deployable, and flexible military capabilities. Our forces must be
able to fight effectively and move quickly. They must be able to
sustain engagements far away from their home territory. And they
must be able to cooperate closely with allies and other forces.
We need a NATO who can still do
high intensity warfare. But also a NATO that is better at
sustaining long term stability operations. We need a capable NATO
able to coordinate with civilian actors. This NATO will be relevant
in all possible security scenarios. In Afghanistan or NATO’s own
territory.
Therefore, Norway supports the
Transformation Agenda for the Riga Summit. In particular we would
like to see:
- A fully operational
NATO Response Force
- A closer and more structured cooperation among
Special Operations Forces in NATO
- Multinational solutions for
Strategic Air Lift
Norway is one of the countries that
has developed an initiative for better coordination, training and
conceptual development of allied special operations forces. This
capability is increasingly important in most conflict scenarios and
we welcome more structured cooperation.
An important deliverable at Riga is
the launching of a multinational initiative for strategic Air Lift.
The capability is needed for NATO’s new missions. At the same time
multinational cooperation is the only way small and medium sized
countries could afford to have access to strategic Aircraft. Norway
sees this as an important initiative, and is considering joining
before Riga.
Norway would also like to see the
Summit agree on principles from where to start a major reform of
NATO’s various partnerships. Already we see that partner forces
participate in NATO-led operations. Procedures for further
enhancing their engagement should be established. This is
particularly important regarding the Western European partners. But
also for other international security providers sharing NATO’s
values. Another important element is to support reform of armed
forces in partner countries.
NATO reform must continue to be on
the political agenda. Important work has already been initiated by
the secretary general. We must have a new and ambitious approach to
the way NATO is organised and does business. We must have a
stronger focus on how we conduct operations. Reform will not be
the main topic at Riga. But
Norway intends to follow up the issue at the Summit.
Finally, let me again emphasize
that Afghanistan is NATO’s most important mission. It will be the
key issue at Riga. Norway is making a substantial contribution to
ISAF, providing both a Provincial Reconstruction Team and a Quick
Reaction Force. We will continue to evaluate our force posture
there, looking for ways to further support the afghan people and
NATO’s mission.
Norway strongly emphasises the
civilian-military dimension. We actively promote the
Concerted Planningand Action (CPA) concept. In my view this is a significant
key to success in Afghanistan. I would therefore like to see the
issue of enhanced civilian-military cooperation
formally endorsed by the Heads of
State and Governments at the Summit.
Conclusion
Our citizens must perceive NATO as
relevant. They must understand that NATO is providing security and
stability. Both on our own territory and through successful
missions abroad.
In conclusion – NATO has come a
long way in adapting to new security challenges. In order to stay
relevant, we need to
continue to improve. We need
better civilian-military coordination. We need new and deployable
capabilities. We also need a reformed organization. And real
transatlantic political consultations. These are our main goals for
the Riga Summit.
Thank you for you attention and
good luck with the conference.
