Relations between the European Union and NATO have now reached a key turning point.
Indeed, on the one hand, the treaty of Lisbon provides us with new instruments in the field of security and defence while, on the other, the establishment of a new Strategic Concept offers new opportunities for working together more effectively.

Belgium has always treated the improvement of relations between the EU and NATO as a priority of first importance, since these two institutions are the pillars of our foreign and defence policies. Within the framework of our tenure in the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are devoting special attention to this subject, with the intention of making real and pragmatic progress. We have fully taken on the new role of the rotating Presidency within the framework of the Treaty of Lisbon, which came into force at the end of last year, by giving our wholehearted support to the work undertaken by the High Representative and the Secretary General of NATO. We are thus devoting special attention to cultivating relations at the political and strategic levels, while also supporting coordination and cooperation between the two organisations’ respective Staff structures.

Both organisations call upon the same resources and capabilities, in order to fulfil their missions in crisis management operations. Both of them are also confronted with the same failings. It thus appears evident to us that shared, coordinated and consistently complementary solutions must be found, in order to address the challenges we are facing.
Nowadays, the duplication of capabilities is even more unacceptable than it was in the past, in view of the particularly difficult budgetary situation.
Thus, truly successful cooperation between the EU and NATO requires the placing of more capabilities at the disposal of both organisations, independently of the framework in which they are developed.

Belgium is endeavouring to promote progress through its support for favourable initiatives whatever their level, such as the organisation by NATO of a non-classified C-IED demonstration on Belgian territory, for example. Such matters are of the highest importance for both organisations, confronted as they are with this active threat to civil and military lives.

We are paying close attention to developments on this question and – in an effort to find innovative solutions that make it possible to improve the current situation – we will deal with it at all of the planned meetings of ministers and political decision-makers during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
We should seize the opportunities open to us at the present time for this purpose.

Belgium will maintain its commitment on this subject, with the same will to forge ahead, in order to be more effective and efficient in the operations undertaken by both organisations.

Peter DE CREM
Belgian Minister of Defence