The NATO Summit Warsaw 2016 is extremely important for the European security. Apart from issues such as NATO involvement in Libya and Afghanistan, the European Union is expecting the Alliance to resolve its closer problems. Russian actions in Ukraine and the conflict in Syria with a flood of refugees to the Union are huge challenges to the European integration. Can NATO help its European partners to deal with it?

NATO Summit 2016 expectations

The NATO Summit Warsaw 2016 was expected to be decisive in many ways. The organisation is facing a number of challenges from various directions. Many issues were needed to be discussed within the Alliance.

The EU was waiting the NATO Summit to decide its problems. Polish President, Andrzej Duda, named NATO bases in Central Europe to be priorities of the Summit. The strengthening of NATO’s Eastern flank is important due to Russian aggressive actions in Ukraine. Poland and Baltic countries are afraid of Russian assertive attitude and expect NATO battalions to come to their territories.

The development of the Islamic State poses risk to the whole world, but the threat is of a relative closeness to the European Union. Terrorists’ attacks already reached its territory and evoked fear and uncertainty within its citizens. Therefore, more actions should be done to stop the war and here the EU is looking for NATO’s help.

Except the war and international terrorism, the Islamic State generated unprecedented refugee crisis in the history, which undermines the European integrity. NATO’s naval vessels are already involved in fighting criminal networks smuggling refugees to Europe through Mediterranean Sea. Some countries want to develop the mission further. With all the threat to Europe from the conflicts in Iraq and Syria, the Alliance should definitely be more involved. NATO needs to enhance its role in this war and destroy the Islamic State at once.

From the other side, Turkey suggests bigger NATO presence in the Black Sea to oppose Russia there. Bulgaria highly supports the proposition. After the annexation of Crimea, Russia is developing its control in the region. Allied Black Sea fleet may be a decision in this respect.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko expected bigger Ukrainian-NATO dialogue, more pressure into Russia to implement the Minsk agreements. Although, NATO has done a lot in pushing reforms in the country, increasing capabilities of Ukrainian army, Ukrainians expect more programs and funds. Ukraine as well as Georgia had great hopes for the Summit as the countries are inspired joining NATO and are working for their choice.

The open-door policy has already irritated Russia. At the moment, NATO is expanding to Montenegro. Two biggest Russian concerns – Ukraine and Georgia – sent their delegations to take part in the Summit. Discussions about deepening of their cooperation with NATO were expected.

To some extent, the EU hopes the Alliance to solve its problems. As NATO and the EU share 22 members, have common values and challenges, and European integration still did not reach the level to afford its own army, maybe NATO-EU cooperation can become a vital option.

NATO Summit 2016 outcomes

NATO Summit 2016 confirmed unprecedented challenges coming from East and South and issued a common declaration on dealing deal with them.

According to the decisions of the Summit, four multinational battalions will be stationed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland composed of around 3,000 troops from the UK, US, Germany and Canada. NATO Secretary General named this the “biggest reinforcement of NATO’s collective defence since the Cold War.”

NATO agreed to provide more support to Ukraine and Georgia and assist Moldova.  Secretary General expressed his concerns due to the increasing number of shooting in Eastern Ukraine, and confirmed that there was no alternative to Minsk agreements. Engagement with partners in the Black and Baltic Seas will be deepened. NATO will welcome a new member Montenegro and stay with its open door policy.

As to the combating ISIS, NATO will continue to support and train the opposition fighting against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Alliance members will remain in Counter-ISIL Coalition and will develop it further. The organisation will also continue to cooperate with the EU in addressing the refugee crisis in Mediterranean.

For more information on the EU “What are next EU priorities for Syria and Iraq?” and  “EU renews sanctions against the Syrian regime and commitment for peace.”

The Summit also proved and strengthened cooperation between the EU and NATO. New life was giving to a strategic EU-NATO partnership.  Joint efforts to fight common problems were agreed. More tools and resources will be mobilised for the benefits of the partners. The EU-NATO declaration promises to accelerate cooperation against the hybrid threats, such as propaganda, cyber-attacks, and usage of political, economic and energy pressure.

The Alliance highlighted that all its steps are completely defensive and it does not want to pose threat to any country in the world. NATO is open to dialogue and expressed its desire to cooperate with Russia based on norms of international laws.

Alina Nychyk