NATO adopts new long-term strategy to flex muscles
The document lays out NATO's vision for an evolving alliance that will remain able to defend its members against modern threats and commits NATO to become more agile, more capable and more effective.
The new Strategic Concept is a document outlining the guiding principles of the alliance to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. As radical changes have occurred on the global scene since the last strategy was adopted in 1999, leaders decided to revise the document to take into account new security threats, such as terrorism and cyber criminality.
"This is an action plan, which sets out clearly the concrete steps NATO will take. This action plan will put in place an alliance that is more effective, more engaged and more efficient than ever before," stressed the NATO secretary general, as he presented the new Strategic Concept in Lisbon.
Under the new strategy, allies reconfirm their engagement to ensure common defense against attacks.
NATO will focus on the fight against terrorism through better international cooperation and development of adequate military capabilities.
Following missions in Afghanistan and the Western Balkans, NATO leaders have also committed to prevent crises, manage conflicts and support reconstruction missions through enhanced cooperation with the United Nations and the European Union. NATO will also engage in conflict regions outside the alliance as instability could pose a threat to the security of the organization's territory and populations.
The new Strategic Concept also offers partner countries and organizations around the globe more opportunities for dialogue and cooperation in an effort to enhance international security; Kazinform cites Xinhua.
See www.xinhuanet.com for full version