wales summit declaration (2014)
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Wales Summit Declaration
Newport, Wales - 5 September 2014
Issued by the Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Alliance.
We, the Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in Wales at a pivotal moment in Euro-Atlantic security. Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine have fundamentally challenged our vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. The security environment in our neighbourhood is complex and evolving, with a wide range of threats and challenges, from the East and from the South. Our Alliance remains an essential source of stability in this unpredictable world.
Key Declarations
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Readiness Action Plan: We have today agreed on a Readiness Action Plan that will enhance our collective defence and ensure that we have the right forces and the right equipment in the right place at the right time. The Plan will be implemented in its entirety. It will be a visible and tangible demonstration of our resolve.
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Defence Investment Pledge: We have also agreed to reverse the trend of declining defence budgets and to make the most effective use of our funds. We will increase our defence investment, as a percentage of GDP, and aim to move towards the 2% guideline within a decade.
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Russia’s Actions in Ukraine: We are united in our condemnation of Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea and its continuing and deliberate destabilisation of eastern Ukraine, in breach of international law. We call on Russia to reverse its actions and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
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ISIL: We are deeply concerned by the grave humanitarian crisis in Iraq and Syria, and by the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which poses a threat to the stability of the region and to our own security. We are united in our resolve to counter this threat.
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Open Door Policy: We will also continue to keep the door of our Alliance open to all European democracies that share our values and are willing and able to assume the responsibilities and obligations of membership.
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Afghanistan: We reaffirm our commitment to the security and stability of Afghanistan. We will continue to support the Afghan National Security Forces as they assume full responsibility for security throughout their country.
We are united in our commitment to the Washington Treaty and to the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. We are determined to meet the challenges of this new security environment and to ensure that the Alliance remains ready, willing, and able to defend all Allies against any threat.