Royal Higher Institute for Defence Euro Atlantic Association of Belgium Evening conference 17 April 2011 Summary Note The NATO and the road to the Chicago Summit The Honourable Peter MacKay Minister of National Defence of Canada On the eve of a two-day gathering of NATO defence and foreign ministers in Brussels to prepare the NATO Chicago Summit on 20-21 May, the Royal Higher Institute for Defence, in cooperation with the Euro Atlantic Association of Belgium, had the pleasure to welcome The Honourable Peter MacKay, Canada’s Minister of National Defence. The conference was first introduced by Belgian Minister of Defence Pieter De Crem. As both ministers pointed out, Belgium and Canada share similar visions and values such as multilingualism, multiculturalism, diversity, cooperation and international-mindedness. Both countries are actively cooperating in NATO and are engaged in Afghanistan to restore peace and to pave the way for the Afghan National Security Forces to take over. Minister MacKay highlighted Canada’s commitment to NATO, as one of its founding members, and its leading role in the Atlantic Alliance. Canada has participated in every major NATO missions since its foundation and has, among other things, pushed for an open-door policy at NATO in Central and Eastern Europe. NATO is more than just a military alliance. It is a forum to discuss security questions in the 21st century and to reinforce peace. This is why its member states, and therefore Canada, have to reinforce their constant commitment to it. Canada’s defence minister then underlined the tremendous challenges facing NATO in the current security environment and the impact of the global economic situation and fiscal constraints on security and defence. In order to meet these challenges, NATO needs to be doing things smarter: with more effectiveness, efficiency, transparency and responsibility. To achieve this “smart defence”, we need to build on our six-decade experience. Enhancing efficiency requires a clear vision and a political will among the 28 member countries. Continuing partnerships outside the Alliance is also important and can make a tremendous difference for the accomplishment of missions. Minister MacKay concluded by stressing NATO’s contribution to stability in a volatile world. In the run- up to the Chicago Summit, in which key decisions for NATO’s future in Afghanistan and for its future capabilities and needs are to be taken, he emphasised the importance for member states to continue investing in capabilities, even in times of financial austerity, to set priorities, to know what they need from NATO and what they can bring to common capabilities. .