 |
|
| Up-to-the-minute perspectives on defence, security and peace issues from and for policy makers and opinion leaders. |
|
In a statement posted on the NATO website Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said:
"I was very pleased to hear President Sarkozy's remarks at the close of the major conference organized today by the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS). It is now of course up to the French Parliament to state its position, but the President has clearly indicated that the process that should lead France to resume its full place has reached its final stage.
I warmly welcome the French President's choice. His move represents both the culmination of a steady rapprochement with NATO on France's part over the last 15 years and a new boost to relations between France and the Alliance just a few weeks away from the Strasbourg/Kehl Summit, at which NATO will face strategic decisions about its future. France has always been an important ally within NATO; its current contribution to operations and missions is crucial. Its full participation in all the civil and military decision-making and planning processes cannot but strengthen the Alliance further, in my view. I think it will also open up new prospects for a more solid, confident and complementary relationship between NATO and the EU.
President Sarkozy said that, as soon as the outcome of next week's parliamentary debate was known, he would write to all the Allies to inform them of his decision. As Secretary General, and guardian of the Organization's procedures, I shall make sure that all steps are taken to ensure implementation of the French decision".
Follow Us
Defence Blogs
Visitors
Cookies
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Defence Viewpoints website. However, if you would like to, you can modify your browser so that it notifies you when cookies are sent to it or you can refuse cookies altogether. You can also delete cookies that have already been set. You may wish to visit www.aboutcookies.org which contains comprehensive information on how to do this on a wide variety of desktop browsers. Please note that you will lose some features and functionality on this website if you choose to disable cookies. For example, you may not be able to link into our Twitter feed, which gives up to the minute perspectives on defence and security matters.
UKDF Defence Viewpoints is intended as a forum for political discussion and debate on security, defence, peace and strategic issues. The views of authors are theirs alone, and publication of them here should not be interpreted as an endorsement by the U K Defence Forum, which holds no views of its own, or any of its associates. We are grateful to thinktanks, academics and publications for permission to reproduce their material. Copyright remains with original authors even when anonymous.
Designed by:
