北約的新定位：NATO 2030 – United for a New Era”

【縛雞之見】

沒有見到”NATO 2030 – United for a New Era” 

https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/new-nato-report-recommends-more-political-role-for-the-western-alliance/

北約強調俄羅斯、阿富汗、中國的威脅—我們見到北約東擴的足跡。北約並將中國的威脅，定義為—因其巨大規模、價值觀不同，而會改變全球的權力平衡。 

Online pre-ministerial press conference    by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs     20201130

Good afternoon.

NATO Foreign Ministers will meet over the next two days to address key issues.

We will discuss the NATO 2030 project and the continued adaptation of our Alliance.
As well as Russia’s military build-up.
The rise of China.
And our mission in Afghanistan.

We went into Afghanistan to support the United States after the 9/11 attacks.

And to ensure that the country is never again a platform for international terrorists to attack our homelands.

We have been there for almost two decades.
And the country has come a long way.
We now see an historic opportunity for peace.
It is fragile, but it must be seized.

As part of the peace process, we have adjusted our presence.

The United States has recently decided to further reduce its troop numbers.

But NATO’s training mission continues,
with over half of the forces from European Allies and partner nations.

No one wants to stay in Afghanistan longer than necessary.

In the months ahead, we will continue to assess our presence based on conditions on the ground.
We face a difficult dilemma.

Whether to leave, and risk that Afghanistan becomes once again a safe haven for international terrorists.
Or stay, and risk a longer mission, with renewed violence.

Whatever path we choose, it is important that we do so together, in a coordinated and deliberate way.
Ministers will also address Russia’s military build-up around the Alliance.

Russia is modernising its nuclear arsenal and fielding new missiles.

It is deploying more forces in our neighbourhood, from the High North to Syria and Libya.

We also see an increased Russian presence as a result of the crises in Belarus and Nagorno-Karabakh.

So, Ministers will discuss what more we should do to respond to Russia’s growing military activity.

And to maintain the arms control regime. Including limitations on nuclear warheads, as the New START treaty is due to expire next February.

We will also be joined by the Foreign Ministers of Georgia and Ukraine in a separate session.
To address the security situation in the Black Sea region.
And our support for these two valued partners.

 

***

NATO foreign ministers will also assess the global shift in the balance of power with the rise of China.

We will be joined by our Asia-Pacific partners: Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
And also by Finland and Sweden, and the European Union High Representative.

China is not our adversary.

Its rise presents an important opportunity for our economies and trade.
We need to engage with China on issues such as arms control and climate change.

But there are also important challenges to our security.
China is investing massively in new weapons.

It is coming closer to us, from the Arctic to Africa.
And by investing in our infrastructure.

China does not share our values.
It does not respect fundamental human rights and tries to intimidate other countries.

We must address this together, both as NATO Allies, and as a community of like-minded countries.

We should, therefore, continue to consult closely, and cooperate where possible.
To bolster the resilience of our societies and to protect the values and norms we share.

So as we face new global challenges, we will discuss how we can make our strong Alliance even stronger.

Earlier this year, I appointed a group of experts to support my work on NATO’s continued adaptation – the NATO 2030 project.
The group will brief Ministers on their findings.

Their report is one input into NATO 2030.
I will continue to consult with civil society, young leaders, parliamentarians, the private sector, and of course with Allies.

Based on all of this, I will put forward my recommendations to NATO Leaders, when they meet next year.

….

 

JACQUES HUBERT-RODIER [Les Echos]: Yes, Jacques Hubert-Rodier from Les Echos. Thank you, Secretary General.  I have a question about: do you expect a real improvement in the transatlantic link between the US and the European Allies?  And I was thinking especially to Germany, between the Americans and Germany, we had a very tense period.  What do you expect with the next American administration?

JENS STOLTENBERG:  President-elect Joe Biden is a strong supporter of NATO and he is not only a strong supporter, but he knows NATO well.  And I think that’s a good thing for all of us.  And I have known him for many years.  I met him in my former capacity as Prime Minister of Norway, then he was Vice-President in the United States.  And then his experience also as the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in the US Senate, also has given him unique insights in the importance of NATO.

So I expect that, in the coming years, we will be able to further strengthen the transatlantic bond.  A strong NATO is important for Europe.  We are dependent on the security guarantees of the United States, and, of course, both Canada and the United States being important for European security, with troops, with exercises, with military presence in Europe.  That is important for our security.  But, at the same time, a strong NATO is also important for the United States.  Not least when we now see that the global balance of power is shifting, with the rise of China.  And sometimes when I go to the United States, I hear people being concerned about the size of China, the size of their economy, the size of their defence budget, the many advances they are making within different areas of technology.  But then my message to the Unites States is that, well, if they are concerned about the size of China, then it’s even more important to keep friends and Allies in NATO close, because together NATO Allies represent 50 per cent of the world’s GDP and the world’s military might. So, as long as we stand together, we are safe.  And that’s the strength of this Alliance.

So, I’m looking forward to working with the new administration.  And I also know that there is a strong bipartisan support for NATO in the United States.  Every time I go and meet people from the Congress, from the Republican and Democratic Party, they all assure me that they are a strong supporter of NATO and, therefore, I think that’s a strength that this has such broad bipartisan support in the United States.