The Summit meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in Riga, Latvia, on 28 and 29 November 2006, focussed on key areas of NATO business covering operations, engagement with partners, and defence transformation.

On operations, there was full agreement that contributing to ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan was NATO’s key priority. Recognising that significant progress had already been achieved, Allies confirmed their continuing commitment to supporting the Afghan Government in providing security in Afghanistan to allow rebuilding and development to take place. Heads of State and Government reaffirmed their support for the Afghan Government’s National Development Strategy and encouraged other nations and international organisations, notably the UN and the World Bank, to do the same. The UK contributes significantly to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan and Tony Blair told world leaders that the operation in Afghanistan was of "crucial importance" to our security.

NATO also affirmed its role in maintaining security in Kosovo, during a sensitive period of consultation over Kosovo future status. The UK and other NATO allies gave their full support for the UN process led by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari, and said that NATO would be ready to continue to play its part in the security provisions of a settlement.
 
NATO’s partnerships have been a success story providing the opportunity to develop unique channels of dialogue and practical co-operation. The UK welcomed the decision by Heads of State to build on this success, agreeing at Riga to engage more fully with a broader range of contacts who share common values and interests. In addition to strengthening current Partnership structures, NATO undertook to extend consultation with other countries who share our objectives for handling today’s challenges, such as Australia, Japan and New Zealand who are all operating alongside NATO in Afghanistan.
 
Heads of State also endorsed NATO’s Comprehensive Political Guidance (CPG) which sets the framework and political direction for NATO’s continuing transformation; the types of operations it should be ready to conduct in the next 10-15 years; the capabilities it needs to carry them out; and how the Alliance should work with other organisations to achieve best effect. The UK welcomed the opportunity this endorsement provides to drive change across the Alliance and put it on a more expeditionary footing, from the development of policy and doctrine, to equipment capabilities. As such it is far-reaching guidance with important long-term consequences for the Alliance.
 
Other key developments at Riga included inviting Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia to join Partnership for Peace (PfP), launching the NATO Training Co-operation Initiative in the Middle East, recognition of the need for a Comprehensive Approach to operations, and declaring full operational capability for the NATO Response Force (NRF).
 
For further information on all these you may wish to read the Riga Declaration, explore the links through our website or access NATO’s archive material at www.nato.int.