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- We, the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of
the North Atlantic Alliance, declare for a new century our mutual
commitment to defend our people, our territory and our liberty, founded
on democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The world has changed
dramatically over the last half century, but our common values and
security interests remain the same.
- At this anniversary summit, we affirm our determination to continue
advancing these goals, building on the habits of trust and co-operation
we have developed over fifty years. Collective defence remains the
core purpose of NATO. We affirm our commitment to promote peace, stability
and freedom.
- We pay tribute to the men and women who have served our Alliance
and who have advanced the cause of freedom. To honour them and to
build a better future, we will contribute to building a stronger and
broader Euro-Atlantic community of democracies - a community where
human rights and fundamental freedoms are upheld; where borders are
increasingly open to people, ideas and commerce; where war becomes
unthinkable.
- We reaffirm our faith, as stated in the North Atlantic Treaty, in
the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and
reiterate our desire to live in peace with all nations, and to settle
any international dispute by peaceful means.
- We must be as effective in the future in dealing with new challenges
as we were in the past. We are charting NATO's course as we enter
the 21st century: an Alliance committed to collective defence, capable
of addressing current and future risks to our security, strengthened
by and open to new members, and working together with other institutions,
Partners and Mediterranean Dialogue countries in a mutually reinforcing
way to enhance Euro-Atlantic security and stability.
- NATO embodies the vital partnership between Europe and North America.
We welcome the further impetus that has been given to the strengthening
of European defence capabilities to enable the European Allies to
act more effectively together, thus reinforcing the transatlantic
partnership.
- We remain determined to stand firm against those who violate human
rights, wage war and conquer territory. We will maintain both the
political solidarity and the military forces necessary to protect
our nations and to meet the security challenges of the next century.
We pledge to improve our defence capabilities to fulfill the full
range of the Alliance's 2lst century missions. We will continue to
build confidence and security through arms control, disarmament and
non-proliferation measures. We reiterate our condemnation of terrorism
and our determination to protect ourselves against this scourge.
- Our Alliance remains open to all European democracies, regardless
of geography, willing and able to meet the responsibilities of membership,
and whose inclusion would enhance overall security and stability in
Europe. NATO is an essential pillar of a wider community of shared
values and shared responsibility. Working together, Allies and Partners,
including Russia and Ukraine, are developing their cooperation and
erasing the divisions imposed by the Cold War to help to build a Europe
whole and free, where security and prosperity are shared and indivisible.
- Fifty years after NATO's creation, the destinies of North America
and Europe remain inseparable. When we act together, we safeguard
our freedom and security and enhance stability more effectively than
any of us could alone. Now, and for the century about to begin, we
declare as the fundamental objectives of this Alliance enduring peace,
security and liberty for all people of Europe and North America.
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