The Strasbourg–Kehl Summit was held in Strasbourg, France, and in Kehl and Baden-Baden, Germany, on 3-4 April 2009. The venue of the summit was chosen as a powerful symbol of Europe’s post-World War II reconciliation.
The summit marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Expected to be primarily a celebratory 60th Anniversary event, the agenda still included a number of other important issues.
Albania and Croatia, new members of NATO, were welcomed by North Atlantic Council Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at their first NATO Summit as members of Alliance: "Today we celebrate the 6oth anniversary of the Washington Treaty. From twelve initial members in 1949, the transatlantic family has grown to 28. The presence of Albania and Croatia here today confirms that NATO’s door remains open, and is testimony of our commitment to a Europe whole and free".
At the Summit of Strasbourg and Kehl, the 28 NATO Heads of State and Government agreed unanimously to appoint Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussenas NATO's next Secretary General. Mr. Fogh Rasmussen will formally take up his duties on August 1, 2009, when the term of the current Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, expires.
Security and stability of Afghanistan dominated the agenda of the Summit. The Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting issued Summit Declaration on Afganistan, where it was underlined, that Euro-Atlantic security is closely tied to the stability and security of Afghanistan.
NATO leaders expressed the aim to strengthen cooperation with other international actors, including the United Nations, European Union, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and African Union in the Strasbourg/Kehl Summit Declaration. Leaders also recognized the importance of a stronger and more capable European defence, welcoming the EU’s efforts to strengthen its capabilities to address common security challenges. In the same document NATO leaders also expressed their appreciation of the role of the Atlantic Treaty Association in fostering a better understanding of the Alliance and its objectives among the publics.
Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Kostas Karamanlis, accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Ms. Dora Bakoyannis, along with the Defense Minister Mr. Evangelos Meimarakis, participated in the Summit. Speaking at a press conference in Strasbourg the Prime Minister reiterated Greece's solid support for further NATO enlargement, on condition, however, that candidate-countries fully meet membership conditions set out by NATO, especially with respect to establishing and maintaining good-neighbourly relations. Mr. Karamanlis also said that Greece welcomed the selection of Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen as the new NATO secretary general. He also expressed his satisfaction with the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Strasbourg, as well as with his first meeting with the US President Barack Obama.
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