NATO's Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Conference Winds up in Doha

Doha, February 15 (QNA) - A conference of the ambassadors of member countries of NATO's Istanbul Cooperation Initiative ICI wound up here on Tuesday.
HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for Follow up Affairs, Mohamed Bin Abdullah al Rumaihi who chaired the closing session underlined the importance of the ideas floated at the session and called for launching a larger dialogue between the NATO and members of ICI at the military or political level , or both and presenting issues of joint interest.
The one-day conference was held under the theme "promoting partnership between NATO and members of the Isanbul Cooperation Initiative".
NATO's ICI was launched at the Alliance's Summit in the Turkish city in June 2004.
It aims at contributing to long-term global and regional security by offering countries of the broader Middle East region practical bilateral security cooperation with NATO.
ICI focuses on practical cooperation in areas where NATO can add value, notably in the security field.
Speaking at the closing session, NATO Deputy Secretary General, Claudio Bisogniero noted that participants presented practical proposals for joint action. They were able to present some important visions that will be analyzed and translated into reality by Another said .
NATO has been serious in promoting partnership with GCC countries in accordance with the ICI,Bisogniero said.
During the closing session the rapporteurs of the three workshops organized during the conference, presented the most important insights and ideas raised during the workshops.
They dealt with issues relating to the new strategic concept for NATO and the added value provided by the NATO Istanbul Cooperation Initiative states and mechanisms for strengthening cooperation between the two sides.
Participants spoke at the first workshop on the new strategic concept for NATO and its importance, given
the change in the conditions that led to the creation of NATO during the Cold War.
The rapporteur of the session, Dr. David Roberts, the deputy director of the Royal Institute for Defence and Security said discussions at the session also dealt with the uncertainties of some GCC countries and the file of the Iranian nuclear rogram.The outcome and visions regarding this issue were not clear.
He said that the challenges of cyber security and protection from ballistic missiles are important concerns for the Gulf States and NATO.
He added that the discussions also touched on Israel and the Palestinian issue .. pointing out that some asked NATO for a clear position towards the peace process . The ambassadors felt that the alliance can not take a particular position on this issue but it can play a role in peacekeeping operation in the event of the parties to reach a peace agreement.
He noted that the participants agreed that the initiative has not yet reached the level of ambitious reviewers visions.
A review was made of the obstacles that prevented the achievement of the objectives of the initiative since its inception.
Brigadier Al Shahrani said the participants undelrined the importance of identifying their priorities according to a strategy and a timetable and creating a mechanism to exchange data and technology between the two sides.
The conference discussed the challenges facing the GCC countries and referred to the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and yemen.
He underscored the importance of continued cooperation in fighting terrorism and combating piracy.
The conference which included three workshops was aimed at promoting cooperation between the Istanbul ICI members and NATO.