From NATO: There is a growing international discussion on the way forward when it comes to arms control, and in particular nuclear weapons.

The goal of working towards a world free of nuclear weapons is one which we can all embrace. And I’ve scheduled a discussion at our next Foreign Ministers meeting in Tallinn on how NATO can contribute to arms control and disarmament, including with an eye to our new Strategic Concept.

With that in mind, I think it is also important to be pragmatic. There are a lot of nuclear weapons in the world, and a number of countries that either have them, would like to have them, or could have them quickly if they decided they needed them. That is just the way it is. So whatever we do in support of arms control and disarmament should be balanced with deterrence.

Finally, it is important that anything that affects NATO’s nuclear policy or posture be decided by the Allies together, without any unilateral moves. Solidarity is very important when it comes to this issue, and I will work hard to preserve it, beginning with the discussion in Tallinn.

Excerpt of Remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.  (photo: NATO)

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