By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2014 – Russia’s blatant disregard of
international norms in Ukraine is just one example of its attempts to reject an
international order that promotes democracy, sovereignty and the rule of law,
NATO’s deputy secretary general said in La Hulpe, Belgium, today.
Alexander Vershbow told the conference on NATO-Israel
cooperation that challenges from Russia and from NATO’s southern flank share
many of the same attributes.
Russia’s continued attempts to destabilize Ukraine “have
blatantly breached international agreements and confidence-building measures,”
Vershbow said.
And on NATO’s southern flank, the Islamic State of Iraq and
the Levant continues to spew its hatred, “pouring oil on the fire of extremism
and sectarianism that is already burning across the Middle East and North
Africa,” he said.
“ISIL’s advances in Iraq and the Levant also risk exporting
terrorism much further afield, including to NATO and [European Union] member
states,” the deputy secretary general added.
NATO Determined to Defeat ISIL, Similar Threats
ISIL is working to overthrow rules-based and values-based
order that is the guarantor of freedom, security and prosperity for all
nations, Vershbow said, and NATO is determined to play its part to defeat this
threat and those like it.
“The capabilities and forces that we are now developing are
very clearly aimed at enhancing NATO’s overall resilience,” the deputy
secretary general said. “We want to be able to deploy them quickly not only
whenever, but also wherever, threats emerge – whether it’s in our eastern or
our southern neighborhoods.”
At NATO’s summit held in Wales in September, the alliance
also decided to strengthen cooperation with partner nations. The summit also
launched an initiative to help partners strengthen their ability to address
security challenges.
“This initiative builds upon NATO’s extensive expertise in
defense capacity building -- for instance, in Kosovo and Afghanistan,” Vershbow
explained. “And we made clear that we stand ready to assist Iraq in
strengthening its security sector, if the new government so requests.”
Risk of Extremism Has Grown on NATO’s Southern Flank
The risk of extremism on NATO’s southern flank has grown and
produced more fertile territory since the Arab Spring, the deputy secretary
general said. The Mediterranean Dialogue – a NATO initiative celebrating 20
years – is more valuable than ever, he added.
“The Mediterranean Dialogue was never intended to have a
direct influence on the Middle East peace process, or in tackling the wider
challenges of the region,” he said. “But it was a genuine attempt to improve
mutual understanding, to dispel misconceptions and to foster a dialogue that
otherwise would not exist.”
The dialogue has developed into a unique multilateral forum,
he noted. “It’s the only structured framework where the 28 NATO allies, Israel
and key Arab countries sit together on a regular basis,” he said.
But more can be done, Vershbow told the forum audience:
-- A firm offer to assist countries in transition with
defense and security sector reform, including planning and budgeting;
-- Dealing with surplus ammunition; and
-- Encouraging what he called “good security governance.”
NATO nations have unique expertise in these areas, he said,
and the alliance will look to include the European Union in these efforts.
More Focus on Capability Building
Vershbow said he would like to see more focus on capability
building. “We want to help the countries of the region to be better able both
to address security concerns in their own region and to participate in
international peacekeeping and crisis management operations – including those
led by NATO,” he said.
This, he added, could involve greater military-to-military
cooperation, and invitations to participate in NATO training, exercises and
education programs.
“But it could also involve more structured cooperation
between NATO and organizations like the African Union and the Arab League,” he
said.
The deputy secretary general said he expects a further
strengthening of dialogue and cooperation where NATO shares the same values and
interests with its partners to better address specific concerns and
requirements. “And I see particular scope here for our relations with
longstanding, active partners like Israel,” he added.
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