"We both agree that it is absolutely critical that we are successful in dismantling, disrupting, destroying the al Qaeda network, and that we are effectively working with the Afghan government to provide the security necessary for that country," said Obama after his meeting with Rasmussen in the Oval Office.
"This is not a American battle, this is a NATO mission as well. And we are working actively and diligently to consult with NATO at every step of the way, " he added.
Obama tackled the missile defense system in Eastern Europe noting that he agreed with Rasmussen that "the configuration that we have proposed is one that ultimately will serve the interests of not only the United States, but also NATO Alliance members most effectively." The Obama administration decided last week to drastically alter European missile defense plans, after the previous US administration had planned to deploy 10 ground-based interceptors in Poland, a European Midcourse Radar in the Czech Republic, and proposed instead a new plan that calls for a focus on short and medium range interceptors.
He also stressed on the importance of reaching out to Russia and "explore ways in which the missile defense configurations that we envision could potentially lead to further collaboration with Russia on this front." "We want to improve generally not only U.S.-Russian relations, but also NATO-Russian relations," added the US President while making sure to reiterate commitment to US allies in Eastern Europe.
Obama called for NATO reform saying "we are now well into the 21st century and that means that we are going to have to constantly renew and revitalize NATO to meet current threats and not just past threats." He expressed confidence in Rasmussen "decisive and effective leadership abilities interested in reforming and renewing the NATO Alliance and always rooted in the understanding that this is the most successful military alliance in history and the cornerstone of transatlantic relationships.
" Rasmussen, a former Danish Prime Minister, was elected Secretary General during the NATO summit in Strasbourg last April, said he looks forward "to cooperating with the President and his administration on reforming, transforming, and modernizing NATO. We are going to elaborate a new strategic concept, which I hope can serve as leverage for renewal of NATO." Rasmussen said NATO "will stand united and we will stay in Afghanistan as long as it takes to finish our job." "I welcome the new U.S. approach, which will allow all
allies to participate, which will protect all allies.
I think the proposed new system can serve as an instrument to bind all allies, new and old, even stronger together," he concluded.
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