The Netherlands is satisfied with the new report on NATO’s new Strategic Concept. Foreign minister Maxime Verhagen said that the recommendations are broadly in line with the Netherlands’ own assessment of NATO’s future tasks and role. The report also deals with the NATO-UN relationship.

The report submitted to NATO’s Secretary-General was drawn up by a group of six prominent experts, including former Shell CEO, Jeroen van der Veer. The group was chaired by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

‘The recommendations stress that NATO has an important political, as well as military, role to play,’ Mr Verhagen said. ‘By forging partnerships with other countries, for example.’

The experts believe that NATO should be able to adapt quickly to the changing security environment. Military transformation and the reform of NATO’s decision-making process are two key requirements for achieving this.

The Netherlands believes that the report provides a solid basis both for drawing up the new Strategic Concept and for further discussion. The importance of cooperation between NATO and the EU can be fleshed out as part of that process.

The heads of state and government of the NATO member states are due to approve the new Strategic Concept at the NATO summit in Lisbon in November.

Click here to read the report in full.

Comments/Questions? Email netherlands@un.int