Tuesday, November 16, 2004

 

G8 and NATO

The members of the G8 are the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, the US and the Russian Federation; the European Union participates and is represented by the president of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.

The overall framework of the G8 may change soon, because the United Nations S-G set up a special committee some time ago to recommend reform of the UN. Moreover, in addition to this framework of the G8 changing, the framework for NATO will also change. At present the responsibilities of the two public organisations overlap - time for consolidation?

NATO is obliged to operate in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. Article 2 of the 1949 Treaty reads:

"The Parties will contribute toward the further development of peaceful and friendly international relations by strengthening their free institutions, by bringing about a better understanding of the principles upon which these institutions are founded, and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being. They will seek to eliminate conflict in their international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration between any or all of them."

The head of NATO argues, in today's FT, "that a more political role for his 26-member organisation would improve the relationship between the US and Europe. . . " http://news.ft.com/cms/s/4e037e54-3774-11d9-a8bb-00000e2511c8.html

A political amalgamation of the G8 and NATO? There is a logic if depoliticisation has to be limited at present.

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