Friday, 12 October 2012
Press Release (2012) 124

NATO Secretary General congratulates the European Union for winning Nobel Peace Prize.

*I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to the European Union on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.*

The European Union has played a vital role in healing the wounds of history and promoting peace, reconciliation and cooperation across Europe. It has contributed to the advancement of freedom, democracy and human rights across the continent and beyond.

From the outset, NATO and the European Union have shared common values and helped shape the new Europe. The European Union is a unique and essential partner for NATO. I look forward to strengthening our strategic partnership further, as agreed by our two organisations, to promote peace, stability and security.

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As France calls for international military intervention, sources said that up to 150 military trainers could be involved in getting Malian forces into offensive mode.

“WE have an ungoverned space under the control of terrorists, with narco-trafficking and smuggling of all kinds,” the EU official said. “We need to help Mali with a real threat of force that could be effective to force negotiations.”

“A credible threat of force – that’s what’s lacking,” he insisted.  (Times of Malta. 12 October 2012)