From the European Parliament: EU-NATO co-operation, the new international security environment, NATO’s relations with Russia and “open door” policy, and the importance of winning public support when redefining NATO’s role in the 21st century, were among the issues discussed by MEPs on Wednesday with Madeleine K. Albright and Jeroen van der Veer, Chair and Vice Chair of NATO’s Strategic Concept Expert Group…

EU-NATO co-operation: “a unique and vital partnership”

Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (EPP, PL), chair of the EP delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, deplored the ‘weakness’ of dialogue between the two institutions. ‘It is high time to change the fact that both sides ignore each other” and seek synergies, he said.

Speaking personally, former US Secretary of State Albright acknowledged the ‘problem of competition’, in an era of scarce resources, when ‘so much needs to be done in a spirit of co-operation.’

“NATO is the relationship that keeps the United States in Europe and the question is how to make sure that US and other countries are part of the discussion on security,” she said. (photo: EUobserver)