TNAG-2090-FCO40-2975-Diplomatic-representation-of-third-countries-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 248

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I HAVE BEGUN WITH CHANGES IN NATO, BECAUSE OUR EUROPEAN DEFENCE POLICY HAS TWO IMPORTANT PREMISES:

FIRST, NATO WILL CONTINUE TO BE WHAT CHANCELLOR KOHL RECENTLY CALLED QUOTE THE ANCHOR OF EUROPEAN SECURITY UNQUOTE. IT REMAINS THE PRIMARY INSTRUMENT OF WESTERN COLLECTIVE DEFENCE FOR THE ALLIES. IT IS THE ESSENTIAL FORUM FOR CONSULTATION AND POLICY-MAKING ON THEIR SECURITY AND DEFENCE COMMITMENTS UNDER THE WASHINGTON TREATY. IN ADDITION, NATO WILL INCREASINGLY PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN BROADER EUROPEAN SECURITY. IT WILL BE ACTIVE IN SECURITY CONSOLTATIONS, ARMS CONTROL, AND WHERE NECESSARY PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS ON THE CONTINENT, NATO OFFERS A MEANS FOR A RICHER AND MORE STABLE WESTERN EUROPE TO HELP SPREAD DEMOCRACY, MILITARY REFORM AND SECURITY TO ITS EASTERN NEIGHBOURS AND THE COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION. AS SUCH, IT WILL BE AT THE CENTRE OF THE INSTITUTIONS THAT WILL IN FUTURE CONTRIBUTE TO THE PEACE AND STABILITY OF THE CONTINENT AS A WHOLE.

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