Bundesregierung

"I would like to congratulate the new NATO Secretary General most warmly,” exclaimed Chancellor Angela Merkel with delight. She declared herself happy that the alliance had thus proven its ability to act and that the summit had been a success.
 
Along with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy the Chancellor had decided to mark the 60^th anniversary of NATO with a symbolic stroll with the heads of state and government across the Rhine Bridge that links Germany and France, after so many wars where the two countries stood on opposite sides.
 
"We are delighted that we can build on the foundations that our predecessors laid when they built this bridge,” stressed Angela Merkel. But this generation too has its work cut out for it. The appointment of the new NATO Secretary General demonstrates the unity within NATO. In view of the global problems facing us, this was an important signal.
 
Anders Fogh Rasmussen is the right man for the job, said current NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. This conviction is shared by all heads of state and government of NATO member states. He will modernise NATO and align it with the demands of the 21^st century.
 
"I look forward to continuing the excellent work of Jaap de Hoop Scheffer,” said the Danish Prime Minister. Together, every effort will now be made to ensure that NATO is equipped to cope with the new challenges facing it.
 

Concept of networked security

 
But there was more on the agenda than the appointment of a new Secretary General. The North Atlantic Council with heads of state and government mandated the appropriate instances to devise a new strategic concept.
 
"We have been advocating the concept of networked security for some time,” explained the Chancellor. The same concept is also reflected one hundred percent in the new US strategy on Afghanistan. This will harmonise international cooperation and go a long way to simplifying it, Angela Merkel is convinced.
 
The concept of networked security provides for cooperation between NATO and other international organisations. Germany is already pursuing this approach in Afghanistan, where military operations provide the protection without which it would be impossible to rebuild the country. Reconstruction in turn contributes to greater security. Civilian and military inputs are dovetailed. Gradually the Afghan partners are to assume greater ownership.
 
The NATO member states agreed to do more in the field of training the Afghan armed forces. Funds will be provided in the form of a trustee fund. And assistance will be offered to ensure security for the coming elections in Afghanistan.
 

Protecting women’s rights

 
The Chancellor demanded at the same time that the Afghan government rescind a new law that effectively legalises rape within marriage. "We consider it indispensable that men and women enjoy equal rights,” she stated unequivocally.
 
Laws like this are not acceptable. After all the allies are fighting in Afghanistan to ensure that all people there can live a good life – both men and women.
 

Transatlantic partnership strengthened

 
The Chancellor specifically thanked the US President Barack Obama. "We aim to work hard with the United States of America to ensure that the transatlantic alliance exists not only on paper, but also in practice”.
 
The new US President has made a major contribution already, she underscored. This is an excellent basis on which to resolve difficult issues. "I will be going home satisfied. Germany has very much enjoyed its role as co-host of this summit,” said the Chancellor happily.