[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 17 (Monday, May 3, 1999)]
[Pages 718-728]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Washington Summit Communique

April 24, 1999

An Alliance for the 21st Century

    1. We, the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of 
the North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in Washington to celebrate 
the 50th anniversary of NATO and to set forth our vision of the Alliance 
of the 21st century. The North Atlantic Alliance, founded on the 
principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law, remains 
the basis of our collective defence; it embodies the transatlantic link 
that binds North America and Europe in a unique defence and security 
partnership.
    2. Fifty years ago, the North Atlantic Alliance was founded in 
troubled and uncertain times. It has withstood the test of five decades 
and allowed the citizens of Allied countries to enjoy an unprecedented 
period of peace, freedom and prosperity. Here in Washington, we have 
paid tribute to the achievements of the past and we have shaped a new 
Alliance to meet the challenges of the future. This new Alliance will be 
larger, more capable and more flexible, committed to collective defence 
and able to undertake new missions including contributing to effective 
conflict prevention and engaging actively in crisis management, 
including crisis response operations. The Alliance will work with other 
nations and organizations to advance security, prosperity and democracy 
throughout the Euro-Atlantic region. The presence today of three new 
Allies--the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland--demonstrates that we 
have overcome the division of Europe.
    3. The Alliance takes the opportunity of this 50th anniversary to 
recognise and express its heartfelt appreciation for the commitment, 
sacrifice, resolve and loyalty of the servicemen and women of all Allies 
to the cause of freedom. The Alliance salutes these active and reserve 
forces' essential contributions, which for 50 years have guaranteed 
freedom and safeguarded trans-Atlantic security. Our nations and our 
Alliance are in their debt and offer them profound thanks.
    4. The NATO of the 21st century starts today--a NATO which retains 
the strengths of the past and has new missions, new members and new 
partnerships. To this end, we have:
    approved an updated Strategic Concept;
    reaffirmed our commitment to the enlargement process of the Alliance 
      and approved a Membership Action Plan for countries wishing to 
      join;
    completed the work on key elements of the Berlin Decisions on 
      building the European Security and Defence Identity within the 
      Alliance and decided to further enhance its effectiveness;
    launched the Defence Capabilities Initiative;

[[Page 719]]

    intensified our relations with Partners through an enhanced and more 
      operational Partnership for Peace and strengthened our 
      consultations and co-operation within the Euro-Atlantic 
      Partnership Council;
    enhanced the Mediterranean Dialogue; and
    decided to increase Alliance efforts against weapons of mass 
      destruction and their means of delivery.
    5. As part of the Alliance's adaptation to the new security 
challenges, we have updated our Strategic Concept to make it fully 
consistent with the Alliance's new security environment. The updated 
Concept reaffirms our commitment to collective defence and the 
transatlantic link; takes account of the challenges the Alliance now 
faces; presents an Alliance ready and with a full range of capabilities 
to enhance the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area; 
reaffirms our commitment to building the ESDI within the Alliance; 
highlights the enhanced role of partnership and dialogue; underlines the 
need to develop defence capabilities to their full potential to meet the 
spectrum of Alliance missions, including forces which are more 
deployable, sustainable, survivable and able to engage effectively; and 
provides guidance to the NATO Military Authorities to this end.
    6. To achieve its essential purpose, as an Alliance of nations 
committed to the Washington Treaty and the United Nations Charter, the 
Alliance performs the following fundamental security tasks:
    Security:
        To provide one of the indispensable foundations for a stable 
            Euro-Atlantic security environment, based on the growth of 
            democratic institutions and commitment to the peaceful 
            resolution of disputes, in which no country would be able to 
            intimidate or coerce any other through the threat or use of 
            force.
    Consultation:
        To serve, as provided for in Article 4 of the North Atlantic 
            Treaty, as an essential transatlantic forum for Allied 
            consultations on any issues that affect their vital 
            interests, including possible developments posing risks for 
            members' security, and for appropriate co-ordination of 
            their efforts in fields of common concern.
    Deterrence and Defence:
        To deter and defend against any threat of aggression against any 
            NATO member state as provided for in Articles 5 and 6 of the 
            Washington Treaty.
And in order to enhance the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic 
area:
    Crisis Management:
        To stand ready, case-by-case and by consensus, in conformity 
            with Article 7 of the Washington Treaty, to contribute to 
            effective conflict prevention and to engage actively in 
            crisis management, including crisis response operations.
    Partnership:
        To promote wide-ranging partnership, cooperation, and dialogue 
            with other countries in the Euro-Atlantic area, with the aim 
            of increasing transparency, mutual confidence and the 
            capacity for joint action with the Alliance.
    7. We warmly welcome the participation of the three new Allies--the 
Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland--in their first Alliance Summit 
meeting. Their accession to the North Atlantic Treaty opens a new 
chapter in the history of the Atlantic Alliance.
    We reaffirm today our commitment to the openness of the Alliance 
under Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty and in accordance with 
Paragraph 8 of the Madrid Summit Declaration. We pledge that NATO will 
continue to welcome new members in a position to further the principles 
of the Treaty and contribute to peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic 
area. This is part of an evolutionary process that takes into account 
political and security developments in the whole of Europe. Our 
commitment to enlargement is part of a broader strategy of projecting 
stability and working together with our Partners to build a Europe whole 
and free. The ongoing enlargement process strengthens the Alliance and 
enhances the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic region. The 
three new members will not be the last.

[[Page 720]]

    At the Summit in Madrid we recognised the progress made by a number 
of countries aspiring to join the Alliance in meeting the 
responsibilities and obligations for possible membership.
    Today we recognise and welcome the continuing efforts and progress 
in both Romania and Slovenia. We also recognise and welcome continuing 
efforts and progress in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Since the Madrid 
Summit, we note and welcome positive developments in Bulgaria. We also 
note and welcome recent positive developments in Slovakia. We are 
grateful for the co-operation of the former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia \1\ with NATO in the present crisis and welcome its progress 
on reforms. We welcome Albania's co-operation with the Alliance in the 
present crisis and encourage its reform efforts.
    \1\ Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its 
constitutional name.
    We welcome the efforts and progress aspiring members have made, 
since we last met, to advance political, military and economic reforms. 
We appreciate the results achieved, and look forward to further progress 
by these countries in strengthening their democratic institutions and in 
restructuring their economies and militaries. We take account of the 
efforts of these aspiring members, together with a number of other 
Partner countries, to improve relations with neighbours and contribute 
to security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic region. We look forward 
to further deepening our co-operation with aspiring countries and to 
increasing their political and military involvement in the work of the 
Alliance.
    The Alliance expects to extend further invitations in coming years 
to nations willing and able to assume the responsibilities and 
obligations of membership, and as NATO determines that the inclusion of 
these nations would serve the overall political and strategic interests 
of the Alliance and that the inclusion would enhance overall European 
security and stability. To give substance to this commitment, NATO will 
maintain an active relationship with those nations that have expressed 
an interest in NATO membership as well as those who may wish to seek 
membership in the future. Those nations that have expressed an interest 
in becoming NATO members will remain under active consideration for 
future membership. No European democratic country whose admission would 
fulfil the objectives of the Treaty will be excluded from consideration, 
regardless of its geographic location, each being considered on its own 
merits. All states have the inherent right to choose the means to ensure 
their own security. Furthermore, in order to enhance overall security 
and stability in Europe, further steps in the ongoing enlargement 
process of the Alliance should balance the security concerns of all 
Allies.
    We welcome the aspirations of the nine countries currently 
interested in joining the Alliance. Accordingly, we are ready to provide 
advice, assistance and practical support. To this end, we approve today 
a Membership Action Plan which includes the following elements:
    the submission by aspiring members of individual annual national 
      programmes on their preparations for possible future membership, 
      covering political, economic, defence, resource, security and 
      legal aspects;
    a focused and candid feedback mechanism on aspirant countries' 
      progress on their programmes that includes both political and 
      technical advice, as well as annual 19+1 meetings at Council level 
      to assess progress;
    a clearinghouse to help co-ordinate assistance by NATO and by member 
      states to aspirant countries in the defence/military field;
    a defence planning approach for aspirants which includes elaboration 
      and review of agreed planning targets.
    We direct that NATO Foreign Ministers keep the enlargement process, 
including the implementation of the Membership Action Plan, under 
continual review and report to us. We will review the process at our 
next Summit meeting which will be held no later than 2002.
    8. We reaffirm our commitment to preserve the transatlantic link, 
including our readiness to pursue common security objectives through the 
Alliance wherever possible. We are pleased with the progress achieved

[[Page 721]]

in implementing the Berlin decisions and reaffirm our strong commitment 
to pursue the process of reinforcing the European pillar of the Alliance 
on the basis of our Brussels Declaration of 1994 and of the principles 
agreed at Berlin in 1996. We note with satisfaction that the key 
elements of the Berlin decisions are being put in place. These include 
flexible options for the selection of a European NATO Commander and NATO 
Headquarters for WEU-led operations, as well as specific terms of 
reference for DSACEUR and an adapted CJTF concept. Close linkages 
between the two organisations have been established, including planning, 
exercises (in particular a joint crisis management exercise in 2000) and 
consultation, as well as a framework for the release and return of 
Alliance assets and capabilities.
    9. We welcome the new impetus given to the strengthening of a common 
European policy in security and defence by the Amsterdam Treaty and the 
reflections launched since then in the WEU and--following the St. Malo 
Declaration--in the EU, including the Vienna European Council 
Conclusions. This is a process which has implications for all Allies. We 
confirm that a stronger European role will help contribute to the 
vitality of our Alliance for the 21st century, which is the foundation 
of the collective defence of its members. In this regard:
a.          We acknowledge the resolve of the European Union to have the 
            capacity for autonomous action so that it can take decisions 
            and approve military action where the Alliance as a whole is 
            not engaged;
b.          As this process goes forward, NATO and the EU should ensure 
            the development of effective mutual consultation, co-
            operation and transparency, building on the mechanisms 
            existing between NATO and the WEU;
c.          We applaud the determination of both EU members and other 
            European Allies to take the necessary steps to strengthen 
            their defence capabilities, especially for new missions, 
            avoiding unnecessary duplication;
d.          We attach the utmost importance to ensuring the fullest 
            possible involvement of non-EU European Allies in EU-led 
            crisis response operations, building on existing 
            consultation arrangements within the WEU. We also note 
            Canada's interest in participating in such operations under 
            appropriate modalities.
e.          We are determined that the decisions taken in Berlin in 
            1996, including the concept of using separable but not 
            separate NATO assets and capabilities for WEU-led 
            operations, should be further developed.
    10. On the basis of the above principles and building on the Berlin 
decisions, we therefore stand ready to define and adopt the necessary 
arrangements for ready access by the European Union to the collective 
assets and capabilities of the Alliance, for operations in which the 
Alliance as a whole is not engaged militarily as an Alliance. The 
Council in Permanent Session will approve these arrangements, which will 
respect the requirements of NATO operations and the coherence of its 
command structure, and should address:
a.          Assured EU access to NATO planning capabilities able to 
            contribute to military planning for EU-led operations;
b.          The presumption of availability to the EU of pre-identified 
            NATO capabilities and common assets for use in EU-led 
            operations;
c.          Identification of a range of European command options for 
            EU-led operations, further developing the role of DSACEUR in 
            order for him to assume fully and effectively his European 
            responsibilities;
d.          The further adaptation of NATO's defence planning system to 
            incorporate more comprehensively the availability of forces 
            for EU-led operations.
    We task the Council in Permanent Session to address these measures 
on an ongoing basis, taking into account the evolution of relevant 
arrangements in the EU. The Council will make recommendations to the 
next Ministerial meeting for its consideration.

[[Page 722]]

    11. We have launched a Defence Capabilities Initiative to improve 
the defence capabilities of the Alliance to ensure the effectiveness of 
future multinational operations across the full spectrum of Alliance 
missions in the present and foreseeable security environment with a 
special focus on improving interoperability among Alliance forces (and 
where applicable also between Alliance and Partner forces). Defence 
capabilities will be increased through improvements in the deployability 
and mobility of Alliance forces, their sustainability and logistics, 
their survivability and effective engagement capability, and command and 
control and information systems. In this connection, we endorse the 
Council decision to begin implementing the Multinational Joint Logistics 
Centre concept by the end of 1999, and to develop the C3 system 
architecture by 2002 to form a basis for an integrated Alliance core 
capability allowing interoperability with national systems. We have 
established a temporary High-Level Steering Group to oversee the 
implementation of the Defence Capabilities Initiative and to meet the 
requirement of co-ordination and harmonisation among relevant planning 
disciplines, including for Allies concerned force planning, with the aim 
of achieving lasting effects on improvements in capabilities and 
interoperability. Improvements in interoperability and critical 
capabilities should also strengthen the European pillar in NATO.
    12. We reaffirm our commitment to the 1995 Peace Agreement, 
negotiated in Dayton and signed in Paris, which established Bosnia and 
Herzegovina as a single, democratic and multi-ethnic state, and to the 
full implementation of the Peace Agreement. We reiterate our readiness 
to work constructively with all Parties that support the Peace Agreement 
and seek to implement it.
    13. The Madrid Peace Implementation Council meeting in December 1998 
confirmed that the next two years would be vital in strengthening the 
peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina and recognised that SFOR's 
presence remains essential, both to keep the peace and to provide the 
secure environment and support for civilian implementation. Return of 
refugees to areas in which they are a minority will remain vital for 
political stability and reconciliation. We will support efforts to take 
this process forward.
    14. SFOR will continue to work closely and effectively with the High 
Representative, whose role we support, the International Criminal 
Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the OSCE and other major 
international organisations, the UN International Police Task Force and 
other agencies implementing the civilian aspects of the Peace Agreement. 
We commend the crucial contribution of men and women of both NATO and 
Partner countries serving in SFOR, who are helping to bring peace to 
Bosnia and Herzegovina.
    15. SFOR's presence cannot, however, be maintained indefinitely. 
SFOR is being streamlined through efficiency measures. We note that the 
Council in Permanent Session is examining options on the future size and 
structure of SFOR.
    16. The continuing crisis in and around Kosovo threatens to further 
destabilise areas beyond the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). The 
potential for wider instability underscores the need for a comprehensive 
approach to the stabilisation of the crisis region in South-Eastern 
Europe. We recognise and endorse the crucial importance of making South-
Eastern Europe a region free from violence and instability. A new level 
of international engagement is thus needed to build security, prosperity 
and democratic civil society, leading in time to full integration into 
the wider European family.
    17. NATO is determined to play its full part in this process by 
contributing to the building of a more secure and co-operative 
relationship with and between the countries of the region. Given the 
differences in economic development and the diversity and complexity of 
the problems of each country in the region, international efforts to 
develop and stabilise the region must be comprehensive, coherent and 
well co-ordinated. To achieve these ends, NATO, the WEU, the EU, the 
OSCE and the UN must work closely together. The international financial 
institutions also have a crucial role to play. The Alliance's efforts to 
enhance regional security and stability in South-Eastern Europe and to 
help resolve humanitarian problems, and the efforts by other 
international organi-

[[Page 723]]

sations, as well as those by the countries of the region, should be 
mutually reinforcing.
    18. We will be meeting with colleagues from the countries of South-
Eastern Europe tomorrow. We intend to build on that meeting by 
maintaining NATO's consultations with the countries of the region. 
Accordingly, we will propose to them a consultative forum on security 
matters which brings together all NATO members and countries of the 
region at an appropriate level.
    19. We direct the Council in Permanent Session, building on, as 
appropriate, the existing EAPC and PfP framework, to give substance to 
this proposal, inter alia, in the following areas:
    19+1 consultations where appropriate;
    the promotion of regional co-operation in the framework of an EAPC 
      co-operative mechanism, taking into account other regional 
      initiatives;
    targeted NATO security co-operation programmes for the countries in 
      the region, as appropriate;
    regionally focused PfP activities and exercises;
    better targeting and co-ordination of Allies' and Partners' 
      bilateral assistance to the region.
    20. The Alliance's efforts to enhance regional security in South-
Eastern Europe complement those by other international organisations, as 
well as those by the countries of the region. We welcome the forthcoming 
European Union conference on a Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe 
on 27th May 1999, and the South-Eastern Europe Co-operation process, as 
well as other regional efforts. Coherence and co-ordination between the 
various initiatives will be of great importance.
    21. The security of the Balkan region is essential to achieving 
lasting stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. Our goal is to see 
the integration of the countries of the region into the Euro-Atlantic 
community. We want all the countries and peoples of South-Eastern Europe 
to enjoy peace and security and establish normal relations with one 
another, based on respect of human rights, democracy, individual liberty 
and the rule of law.
    22. We reaffirm our commitment to consultation, partnership and 
practical co-operation through the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and 
the Partnership for Peace. We commit ourselves today to build an 
enhanced and more operational relationship with Partners for the 21st 
century that strengthens stability, mutual confidence, and security 
throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. The EAPC and the PfP have transformed 
political-military relations across the continent and have become the 
instruments of choice when the Alliance and its Partners consult and act 
together in the pursuit of peace and security. We look forward to 
consulting with our Partners at tomorrow's EAPC Summit meeting.
    23. The EAPC, founded in 1997, contributes substantially to stronger 
political consultation and practical co-operation between the Alliance 
and its Partners, for solutions to security issues. We applaud this 
expanded dimension of political consultations, which has enhanced 
transparency and confidence among all EAPC members. The Alliance and its 
Partners have consulted regularly on regional security issues, such as 
on Bosnia and Herzegovina and on Kosovo. We have also developed new 
areas of co-operation such as peacekeeping, humanitarian de-mining, 
control over transfer of small arms, and the co-ordination of disaster 
relief and humanitarian assistance.
    24. We welcome the successful fulfilment by the Alliance and its 
Partners of five years of Partnership for Peace and the full 
implementation of PfP enhancements launched in 1997. Enhanced PfP has 
ensured that NATO-Partner co-operation contributes concretely to Euro-
Atlantic stability and security. The participation of 15 PfP Partners in 
IFOR/SFOR demonstrates the real-life benefits of PfP's focus on 
interoperability and provides valuable lessons for future Alliance-
Partner co-operation. The presence of Partner officers in an 
international capacity in NATO military headquarters enables Partners to 
participate in planning for NATO-PfP exercises and NATO-led PfP 
operations. Enhanced PfP has also permitted NATO to take action to 
assist Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with their 
unique security concerns.

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    25. We welcome and take special note of the initiatives designed to 
make the Partnership more operational and ensure greater Partner 
involvement in appropriate decision-making and planning, as we had 
envisioned in our Madrid Declaration. These steps will ensure that the 
Partnership will be better able to address its objectives, and will 
provide a solid foundation for its continuing evolution as the core of a 
co-operative security network between NATO and its Partners for the 21st 
century. To further this goal, we have today approved the following 
comprehensive package. We have:
    approved a Political-Military Framework for NATO-led PfP operations, 
      which will enhance Partners' roles in political guidance and 
      oversight, planning, and command arrangements for such operations;
    endorsed the expanded and adapted Planning and Review Process, which 
      will further enhance interoperability of Partner forces declared 
      available for PfP activities, and will allow for more focused and 
      increased Partner contributions of valuable forces and 
      capabilities for future NATO-led PfP operations;
    endorsed the outline Operational Capabilities Concept for NATO-led 
      PfP operations, which will provide for deeper military co-
      operation between the Alliance and Partners with the goal of 
      improving the ability of Partner forces and capabilities to 
      operate with the Alliance in NATO-led PfP operations and directed 
      the Council in Permanent Session to pursue its further 
      development;
    endorsed the outline programme on enhancing PfP training and 
      education to optimise and harmonise NATO and national PfP 
      activities in order to meet the current and future demands of an 
      enhanced and more operational PfP. The outline programme includes 
      the role of three new PfP tools--a PfP Consortium of Defence 
      Academies and Security Studies Institutes, a PfP Exercise 
      Simulation Network and PfP Training Centres. We directed the 
      Council in Permanent Session to develop a PfP Training and 
      Education Enhancement Programme.
    26. We remain firmly committed to our partnership with Russia under 
the NATO-Russia Founding Act. NATO and Russia have a common objective in 
strengthening security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. 
Throughout the Kosovo crisis, NATO and Russia have shared the common 
goals of the international community: to halt the violence, to avert a 
humanitarian catastrophe, and to create the conditions for a political 
solution. These goals remain valid. Consultation and dialogue are even 
more important in times of crisis. NATO and its member countries are 
determined to build on the areas of common ground with Russia concerning 
the international response to the crisis in Kosovo and remain ready to 
resume consultations and co-operation in the framework of the Founding 
Act.
    27. Close relations between NATO and Russia are of great importance 
to stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. Since the 
conclusion of the Founding Act in May 1997, considerable and encouraging 
progress has been made in intensifying consultation and co-operation 
with Russia. The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council has developed into 
an important venue to consult, to promote transparency and confidence-
building, and to foster co-operation. Russia's participation in the 
implementation of the peace agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina was a 
significant step towards a new co-operative relationship. We have 
developed an extensive dialogue on such matters as disarmament and arms 
control, including the adaptation of the CFE Treaty; peacekeeping and 
nuclear weapons issues. Strategy, defence policy and doctrines, budgets 
and infrastructure development programmes, and non-proliferation, are 
further examples of this increasing co-operation.
    28. We attach great importance to a strong, enduring and distinctive 
partnership between NATO and Ukraine. Ukraine has an important role to 
play in enhancing security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and 
in particular in Central and Eastern Europe. We are pleased with the 
progress reached since the signing of the NATO-Ukraine Charter in 
Madrid, and will continue to strengthen our distinctive partnership. We 
continue to support Ukrainian sovereignty

[[Page 725]]

and independence, territorial integrity, democratic development, 
economic prosperity and Ukraine's status as a non-nuclear weapons state 
as key factors of stability and security in Europe. We encourage Ukraine 
to carry forward its democratic and economic transformation, including 
its defence reform, and reaffirm NATO's support for Ukraine's efforts to 
this end. We applaud the progress made in the Joint Working Group on 
Defence Reform. We welcome the establishment of a NATO Liaison Office in 
Kyiv to further enhance Ukraine's role as a distinctive Partner. We also 
look forward to today's inaugural Summit meeting of the NATO-Ukraine 
Commission.
    29. The Mediterranean Dialogue is an integral part of the Alliance's 
co-operative approach to security since security in the whole of Europe 
is closely linked to security and stability in the Mediterranean. We are 
pleased with the development of our Mediterranean Dialogue. The Dialogue 
is progressive in nature and we welcome the progress towards developing 
broader and deeper co-operation and dialogue with the countries in the 
Mediterranean region. We endorse the enhancements to the political and 
practical co-operation of the Mediterranean Dialogue agreed by the 
Council in Permanent Session and direct it to pursue their early 
implementation. We encourage Allied nations and Mediterranean Dialogue 
countries to organise events such as the Rome Conference in 1997 and the 
Valencia Conference in 1999 as positive steps to strengthen mutual 
regional understanding. We look forward to further opportunities to 
strengthen co-operation in areas where NATO can add value, particularly 
in the military field, and where Dialogue countries have expressed 
interest. The Dialogue and other international efforts, including the EU 
Barcelona process, are complementary and mutually reinforcing and thus 
contribute to transparency and building confidence in the region.
    30. The proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) 
weapons and their means of delivery can pose a direct military threat to 
Allies' populations, territory, and forces and therefore continues to be 
a matter of serious concern for the Alliance. The principal non-
proliferation goal of the Alliance and its members is to prevent 
proliferation from occurring, or, should it occur, to reverse it through 
diplomatic means. We reiterate our full support for the international 
non-proliferation regimes and their strengthening. We recognise progress 
made in this regard. In order to respond to the risks to Alliance 
security posed by the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and 
their delivery means, we have launched an Initiative that builds upon 
work since the Brussels Summit to improve overall Alliance political and 
military efforts in this area.
    31. The WMD Initiative will: ensure a more vigorous, structured 
debate at NATO leading to strengthened common understanding among Allies 
on WMD issues and how to respond to them; improve the quality and 
quantity of intelligence and information-sharing among Allies on 
proliferation issues; support the development of a public information 
strategy by Allies to increase awareness of proliferation issues and 
Allies' efforts to support non-proliferation efforts; enhance existing 
Allied programmes which increase military readiness to operate in a WMD 
environment and to counter WMD threats; strengthen the process of 
information exchange about Allies' national programmes of bilateral WMD 
destruction and assistance; enhance the possibilities for Allies to 
assist one another in the protection of their civil populations against 
WMD risks; and create a WMD Centre within the International Staff at 
NATO to support these efforts. The WMD initiative will integrate 
political and military aspects of Alliance work in responding to 
proliferation.
    32. Arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation will continue to 
play a major role in the achievement of the Alliance's security 
objectives. NATO has a long-standing commitment in this area. Allied 
forces, both conventional and nuclear, have been significantly reduced 
since the end of the Cold War as part of the changed security 
environment. All Allies are States Parties to the central treaties 
related to disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Biological and 
Toxin Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention, and are 
committed to the full implementation of

[[Page 726]]

these treaties. NATO is a defensive Alliance seeking to enhance security 
and stability at the minimum level of forces consistent with the 
requirements for the full range of Alliance missions. As part of its 
broad approach to security, NATO actively supports arms control and 
disarmament, both conventional and nuclear, and pursues its approach 
against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their 
delivery means. In the light of overall strategic developments and the 
reduced salience of nuclear weapons, the Alliance will consider options 
for confidence and security building measures, verification, non-
proliferation and arms control and disarmament. The Council in Permanent 
Session will propose a process to Ministers in December for considering 
such options. The responsible NATO bodies would accomplish this. We 
support deepening consultations with Russia in these and other areas in 
the Permanent Joint Council as well as with Ukraine in the NATO-Ukraine 
Commission and with other Partners in the EAPC.
    33. The CFE Treaty is a cornerstone of European security. We 
reaffirm our commitment to the successful adaptation of the Treaty 
reflecting the new security environment and paving the way to greater 
conventional security and stability in Europe. In the course of the 
negotiations so far, Members of the Alliance have already declared their 
intention to undertake reductions in their equipment entitlements or 
holdings, and we strongly encourage others to follow suit with similar 
substantial reductions. In this context, we are pleased that agreement 
has been reached by CFE States Parties in Vienna in March 1999 on the 
key outstanding issues, permitting drafting work to proceed without 
delay. Allies will do their utmost to complete an adapted Treaty for 
signature by the time of the OSCE Istanbul Summit in November 1999. 
Until the adaptation process is completed, the continued full 
implementation of the existing Treaty and its associated documents will 
remain crucial.
    34. We call on Russia to ratify the START II Treaty without delay. 
This would pave the way for considerable reductions of nuclear arsenals 
and would allow negotiations on a START III Treaty aiming at further 
far-reaching reductions. We remain committed to an early entry into 
force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and call upon all countries 
to accede to and implement the Treaty in due course. We support the 
early commencement of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty.
    35. We are determined to achieve progress on a legally binding 
protocol including effective verification measures to enhance compliance 
and promote transparency that strengthens the implementation of the 
Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. We re-emphasise the importance 
of universal adherence to, and effective implementation of, the Chemical 
Weapons Convention. We support de-mining efforts in Bosnia, the 
development of practical initiatives under the auspices of the EAPC, 
and--for signatories--activities to meet obligations under the Ottawa 
Convention.
    36. We call on Belarus, Russia and Ukraine to ratify the Open Skies 
Treaty without delay.
    37. We will seek to intensify on a mutually reinforcing basis the 
Alliance's contacts and co-operation with other international 
organisations with a role to play in consolidating democracy and 
preserving peace in the Euro-Atlantic Area.
    38. As stated in the Washington Treaty, we recognise the primary 
responsibility of the United Nations Security Council for the 
maintenance of international peace and security. The Alliance and the UN 
have worked together effectively in implementing the Peace Agreement in 
Bosnia and Herzegovina. We look forward to developing further contact 
and exchanges of information with the United Nations, in the context of 
co-operation in conflict prevention, crisis management, crisis response 
operations, including peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance. In the 
crisis in Kosovo, the Alliance is using its civil and military 
capabilities to work with the UNHCR, the lead agency in the field of 
refugee relief, and other relevant international organisations, in 
providing humanitarian assistance and refugee relief. The Alliance will 
consider on a case-by-case basis future co-operation of this kind.
    39. Co-operation and co-ordination between the Alliance and the 
Organisation for

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Security and Co-operation in Europe has expanded considerably in the 
light of the support we have provided to the OSCE-led Kosovo 
Verification Missions. We hope to make use of these important bridges 
between our two organisations to work together in conflict prevention, 
peacekeeping, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, in the 
spirit of the OSCE's Common Concept for the Development of Co-operation 
between Mutually Reinforcing Institutions. We continue to support the 
efforts of the OSCE to develop a Document-Charter on European Security, 
worthy of adoption at the OSCE Istanbul Summit in November 1999.
    40. The Alliance and the European Union share common strategic 
interests. Our respective efforts in building peace in the former 
Yugoslavia are complementary. Both organisations make decisive 
contributions to peace and stability on the European continent. Co-
operation between the two organisations on topics of common concern, to 
be decided on a case-by-case basis, could be developed when it enhances 
the effectiveness of action by NATO and the EU.
    41. The Alliance, in order to adapt its structures to better prepare 
it to meet future challenges, launched a comprehensive programme 
including the continuing adaptation of NATO's command structure. 
Accordingly, Allies welcome the activation decision of the 
implementation phase of the Alliance's new command structure. This will 
ensure NATO's ability to carry out the whole range of its missions more 
effectively and flexibly; support an enlarged Alliance and our more 
operational relationship with Partners; and provide, as part of the 
development of the ESDI within NATO, for European command arrangements 
able to prepare, support, command and conduct WEU-led operations. After 
successful trials, we have embarked on the full implementation of the 
CJTF concept, giving us an important new tool for crisis management in 
the next century. Allies also welcome the full integration of Spain into 
NATO's military structure from January this year, another significant 
milestone for the Alliance.
    42. Terrorism constitutes a serious threat to peace, security and 
stability that can threaten the territorial integrity of States. We 
reiterate our condemnation of terrorism and reaffirm our determination 
to combat it in accordance with our international commitments and 
national legislation. The terrorist threat against deployed NATO forces 
and NATO installations requires the consideration and development of 
appropriate measures for their continued protection, taking full account 
of host nation responsibilities.
    43. NATO Heads of State and Government believe that a key to the 
future success of the North Atlantic Alliance is the efficient 
production and availability of advanced weapons and technology in 
support of security for all its members. We also believe that viable 
defence industries on both sides of the Atlantic are critical to the 
efficient functioning of NATO military forces. To that end, we welcome 
continued transatlantic defence industrial co-operation to help ensure 
interoperability, economies of scale, competition and innovation. We 
will seek to ensure that NATO's armament activities meet the Alliance's 
evolving military needs.
    44. We welcome the presence in Washington of the President and other 
representatives of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NPA). The NPA plays 
a significant role in complementing NATO's efforts to project stability 
throughout Europe. We therefore attach great importance to enhancing our 
relations with the NPA in areas of common concern. We also appreciate 
the contribution made by the Atlantic Treaty Association in promoting 
better understanding of the Alliance and its objectives among our 
publics.
    45. We express our deep appreciation for the gracious hospitality 
extended to us by the Government of the United States on the occasion of 
the 50th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Note: The joint statement was issued by the heads of state and 
government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in 
Washington, DC, April 24. It was made available by the Office of the 
Press Secretary but was not issued as a White House press release. An 
original was not available for verification of the content of this joint 
statement.

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