Tomas VALASEK (Slovakia)
15 December 2022
Faced with the greatest security crisis on the European continent since the end of WW2, NATO needs to recalibrate itself, and do so urgently. The new NATO Strategic Concept adopted in Madrid places a clear emphasis on defence and deterrence. This approach is also reflected in the decisions of the transformative NATO Summit in Madrid. Throughout this report, the General Rapporteur urges Allied policymakers to deliver and build on the Madrid decisions, focusing in particular on robust defence of the eastern flank and the support for Ukraine. The report stresses that US presence on the ground is crucial and sends a powerful political message to potential adversaries. At the same time, the US cannot be expected to carry more than its fair share of the burden. All European Allies need to step up and ensure the allocation of adequate resources both for the upgraded forward presence in Central and Eastern Europe and for the new Force Model.
At the same time, NATO cannot simply revert back to the Cold War posture: the world has become far more complex, and peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area are also affected by the persistent threat of terrorism, China’s assertiveness, instability in Africa and Middle East, the erosion of arms control and other challenges such as the spread of emerging and disruptive technologies as well as climate change. The Alliance should have the capacity to conduct out-of-area missions to protect their security interests, insofar as these missions’ end-goals are clearly defined and underpinned by adequate resources. NATO should continue developing partnerships, especially with like-minded nations and organisations with a view to setting global standards that are aligned with the values of liberal democracy. NATO cannot and should not compromise on potential accession to NATO of eligible democratic nations if their societies willingly choose Euro Atlantic integration and meet membership requirements. To ensure effective decision-making, the Allies should fully use NATO as a platform for consultations on matters of security and defence, and continue cultivating their common identity as an Alliance of democracies. NATO Parliamentarians have a pivotal role to play in advancing Alliance cohesion and supporting the ongoing NATO adaptation.
