www.nato-otan.org/docu/review/1995/9502-2.htm -
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Published on: 3/1/1995
Last Visited: 12/24/2007
I am thinking here of the rather provocative but intriguing speech made by Christoph Bertram, Editor-in-Chief of Die Zeit, at the 40th General Assembly of the Atlantic Treaty Association in the Hague on 26 October 1994.His suggestion of broadening the scope of the relations between the European and transatlantic pillars of NATO at this juncture, might be an attractive one.In Bertram's words: "We can no longer afford to leave US-European relations to the ministers of foreign affairs and defence or to the chiefs of staff: we must get the ministers of health, of labour, of social affairs, of the environment together.If the latter have nothing to say to each other, the former will also, sooner rather than later, run out of a common agenda."
The Atlantic Contract I referred to could indeed very well transcend the borders of politico-military cooperation and provide a new foundation for broader relations between the European Union and the US and Canada. In view of the vast array of joint strategic interests - of which Bertram names a few important ones - the Atlantic Contract should provide for appropriate venues to give shape to an enhanced transatlantic relationship.