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NATO Riga Summit Summary

Core Content

The NATO Riga Summit, held in 2006, is described as a pivotal moment for the Alliance, aimed at reasserting its relevance and redefining its role in the post-9/11 world. The paper outlines ten key points to guide the Summit and ensure a renewed commitment to the transformation of NATO, emphasizing both strategic coherence and public perception.

Main Points and Key Information

1. Refounding the Atlantic Idea

• The Summit should not only focus on strategic and operational capabilities but also on rekindling the emotional and ideological commitment to the Atlantic alliance.
• Public support for NATO is waning due to a lack of trust among political leaders and unclear messaging about its current and future roles.
• A renewed discourse on NATO's significance to member states' security interests is essential.

2. Strategic Concept Development

• A new Strategic Concept should be developed and adopted by the spring of 2009, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the Washington Treaty.
• This document should reflect NATO's evolving role in addressing global challenges, including non-military and stabilizing missions.
• The Summit should be framed as President Bush's Legacy Summit, marking a significant step in NATO's post-9/11 transformation.

3. Military Commitment in Afghanistan

• NATO must demonstrate a collective military commitment to Afghanistan, particularly through the NATO Response Force (NRF).
• The NRF should be declared operational, and additional resources, including combat units and support elements, should be pledged.
• The Summit should emphasize the need for interoperability among Special Operations Forces and the importance of strategic airlift, sealift, and refueling capabilities.

4. Stabilization and Reconstruction Initiative (SRI)

• A new SRI should be developed to address the non-military aspects of security missions.
• NATO should cooperate with the EU and other multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations, to enhance legitimacy and capabilities.
• Civilian capacity for NATO should be explicitly authorized, ensuring that S&R forces remain distinct from the high-intensity NRF.

5. NATO Enlargement to the East

• Enlargement to the Balkans and former Soviet states remains a key part of NATO's mission.
• Membership invitations should be credibly signaled to countries like Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia.
• The Summit should lay the groundwork for future enlargement, with a possible round in 2009.

6. Global Partnerships

• NATO should maintain informal partnerships with countries like Japan, Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand.
• Formal partnership arrangements are not advisable at this time due to concerns about diluting NATO's focus and creating perceptions of encirclement.
• The paper suggests that such partnerships may be formalized in the future, but not at the Riga Summit.

7. Institutional Reforms and Decision-Making

• While some procedural changes may be necessary, the consensus rule should remain intact to ensure collective decision-making.
• A new NATO civility should be established, characterized by deeper consultation and constructive opposition rather than disruptive obstruction.

8. Strengthening NATO-EU Relations

• The Summit should acknowledge the maturity of NATO-EU relations and commit to joint mechanisms for coordination.
• Regular bi-monthly meetings between NATO Secretary General and EU High Representative should be established.
• Joint contingency planning and integration of military and civilian assets are critical for addressing global challenges.

9. Russia and the Euro-Atlantic Community

• Russia should be engaged through the G-8 framework, not the NATO Summit.
• The G-8 meeting led by Angela Merkel in mid-2007 is highlighted as a more appropriate forum for addressing Russia's relations with the West.
• NATO must lead Russia toward a constructive course without compromising the security of its neighbors.

10. Euro-Atlantic Partnership Agreement

• A new Euro-Atlantic Partnership Agreement should be adopted, including all EU members and NATO allies.
• This agreement would be a follow-on Summit in 2007, marking the 50th anniversary of the Rome Treaty.
• The goal is to unify the Euro-Atlantic community in addressing shared security challenges.

Conclusion

The Riga Summit is envisioned as a turning point for NATO, emphasizing the need for strategic clarity, military readiness, institutional cooperation, and public engagement. It aims to move beyond the post-Cold War model, reinforcing NATO's role in a multipolar world while ensuring continuity and coherence in its mission and messaging.