NATO Prepares For Istanbul Summit
On 28 and 29 June, leaders of the now 26 NATO countries will meet in Istanbul to enhance NATO’s missions, deepen the
Alliance’s partnerships and discuss assistance to Iraq.
The high-level meetings will bring together Heads of State and Government, Defence and Foreign Ministers from NATO and
partner countries.
Operations, partnerships and capabilities
The Alliance is expected to announce an expansion of its presence in Afghanistan and a decision to terminate the
NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Bosnia at the end of the year.
NATO’s partnerships are set to be strengthened, by opening a dialogue with interested countries of the broader Middle
East region.
Equally important will be decisions on measures aimed at strengthening NATO’s operational capabilities – the ability to
deploy and sustain troops on a wide-range of missions across the globe.
This will include a review of NATO’s defence and operational planning process. Allies will also give direction to
implement a package of measures for combating terrorism.
Heads of State and Government will also discuss a request from the interim Iraqi government for support through training
and other forms of technical assistance.