Rasmussen hails anniversary of partnership for peace

Twenty years ago today, at the Brussels Summit, NATO Heads of State and Government took a decision to create a Partnership for Peace with the countries of the Euro-Atlantic area that is celebrated today, stated NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in a statement here Saturday."Their vision was of a partnership that would reach across borders and ideological divides of the past; a partnership that would build peace and security through consultation, cooperation, and common action based on shared values of democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights," he noted."Today, we can proudly say that vision has become reality. The Partnership for Peace has successfully contributed to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. Partners have joined our operations, working alongside NATO Allies to protect security in the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond," said Rasmussen Twelve of the original partners from Central, Eastern, and South Eastern Europe have become NATO members and Partnership for Peace will continue to foster peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area, he underlined."In September, when we gather for the NATO Summit in Wales, we will mark an Alliance whose partnerships are, deeper, and richer than ever before," he added.