10 November 2006 - NATO PA to Organise Post-Riga Seminar on the Challenge of Defence and Security Sector Reform

As NATO and the European Union look to the future a central issue for both organisations is the contribution they can make to helping countries undergoing transition and reconstruction. For most of these countries, defence and security sector reform (DSSR) is a major imperative and an essential foundation for the building of stable, democratic societies.

NATO and EU enlargement has run parallel with both organisations assisting, in different but mutually reinforcing ways to the spread of peace and stability. One of NATO's most notable achievements during the past decade, albeit insufficiently recognised, is the advice, expertise, and practical assistance it has provided transition countries for the reform of their armed forces and defence establishments.

As the engagement of NATO and the EU broadens in terms of membership, partnership and operations, it is evident that more countries will be requiring assistance with DSSR. However, the circumstances under which assistance is provided are very different from previous rounds of enlargement. All too often, reform and reconstruction are taking place in unstable conditions, including as in Afghanistan, open conflict. Moreover, NATO’s initial focus on defence and the armed forces has been seen to be too restrictive as it neglects other equally relevant aspects of security.

As post-Riga, the Alliance continues to define its future role, and as the European Union begins to move into the area of security sector reform, it is appropriate to take stock of where we stand with DSSR. In order to provide such an assessment, the conference will address the following issues: What has been achieved in the field of DSSR? What lessons have been learned? What challenges lie ahead? What contribution does DSSR make to peace and stability? How can countries in need best be helped? And by whom?

For more information please contact Claire Watkins .