Opinion | How will Nato’s stress on global security play out in Asia?

‘Security is global’ was the oft-repeated mantra at the Nato summit in Vilnius, although Ukraine understandably garnered much attention

While a liaison office in Japan was not mentioned in the communique, an individually tailored partnership was firmed up, and similar agreements could follow with other countries in the Indo-Pacific region

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Published: 3:30am, 18 Jul 2023Updated: 6:28pm, 20 Jul 2023

Nato is looking at security from a global perspective. “Security is global” was the mantra repeated over and over at the Nato summit in Vilnius. A year after adopting the Madrid strategic concept – Nato’s road map for the decade – the transatlantic alliance delivered some key developments and messages as it upgrades its capabilities for a world of growing strategic competition.

First, there was its unwavering support for Ukraine. At the Vilnius summit, a package of commitments was agreed on to reinforce Ukraine’s progress towards Nato membership. This includes a multi-year assistance programme to help Ukrainian forces transition to meet Nato operational standards, the establishment of a Nato-Ukraine Council to strengthen political ties and the decision to drop the requirement for a membership action plan, which is a path of reforms ahead of joining the alliance.

Furthermore, the Group of 7 nations offered to work with Ukraine on an enhanced security package. However, there was no clear timeline or path to joining Nato, leaving Ukraine’s leadership dismayed.

Refraining from making concrete pledges in Vilnius, the alliance instead stated that it would “be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met”. This brought to mind the failed commitments made at the Bucharest summit in 2008. Still, a positive, unified message was sent to Kyiv at Vilnius, expressing commitment to deepening the relationship and providing support.

Second, there was a pledge to strengthen Nato’s readiness to operate in a complex global security environment. The alliance did so by taking prompt action ahead of the summit with talks between Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson leading to Erdogan committing to push for Turkey’s parliament to approve Sweden’s accession protocol. This, together with Finland recently gaining membership to Nato, strengthens the alliance’s presence in the Baltic region.

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (centre) looks on as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) shakes hands with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on July 10 before their meeting ahead of the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Photo: DPA

As security threats and challenges have profoundly changed in recent years, Nato has followed up on its Madrid strategic concept by developing new, comprehensive defence plans. These plans emphasise joint procurement, interoperability, command structure, defence investments, production capacity and industrial innovation. Of particular importance is the concrete commitment to achieve a minimum of 2 per cent of gross domestic product for defence spending among Nato allies.

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