Eng.
/ Fr.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Alexander Downer and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (Sept 2005)
In addition to its formal partnerships1, NATO cooperates with a range of countries that are not part of these structures. Referred to as Contact Countries, they typically share similar strategic concerns and key Alliance values. Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand are all examples of Contact Countries.
NATO and Australia are exploring further ways in which to enhance bilateral cooperation. NATO and Australia exchange information in the fight against terrorism, and an Australian Defence Attaché is in now in place at NATO to facilitate practical cooperation. The political dialogue is also deepening: the Australian Foreign Minister has addressed the North Atlantic Council and NATO’s Secretary General visited Australia in April 2005.
Australia has made a valuable and significant contribution to NATO-led operations, in support of the Government of Afghanistan and to NATO-led stabilization operations in the former Yugoslavia. Some 500 Australian Defence Force personnel are currently contributing to a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Uruzgan province, working closely with Dutch forces to deliver reconstruction and community-based projects.
Similarly, a Special Operations Task Group is deployed in Uruzgan province. It operates in direct support of ISAF elements in Uruzgan. These forces operate under an Australian commander, working within the ISAF framework.
The practical cooperation between NATO and Australia has deepened rapidly.
