ISLAMABAD: NATO’s collaboration with Pakistan will continue in the future, as both entities have an ongoing cooperation program focusing on research and development.
Belgian Ambassador to Pakistan, Charles Delogne, who also serves as the NATO point ambassador to Pakistan. He openly states that cooperation between NATO and Pakistan had decreased after the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan. He mentions that frequent military-level talks took place between NATO and Pakistan.
The ambassador also claims that China aims to invest in NATO countries to gain control over key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, strategic materials, and supply chains, creating strategic dependencies.
He stated that NATO has decide to establish a cooperation mechanism with developing countries. Delogne Charles acknowledged that China is a dynamic country offering many opportunities and can be a partner in various areas, including climate change. Regarding Ukraine, he mentions that it was decided at the Vilnius summit to invite Ukraine to become a NATO member, but no specific timeframe was provided.
He clarified that this would only happen once conditions were met and the ongoing conflict with Russia was resolved. Referring to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which considers an armed attack on one member as an attack on all, he explained that Ukraine’s entry at this time would trigger the automatic application of Article 5, which would have consequences for the entire world.
He emphasizes that NATO enlargement is a voluntary process, where a country expresses its desire to join and then a debate occurs within the alliance.
These plans would cover the north, the Atlantic, and European Arctic; the center, including the Baltic region and central Europe; and the south, encompassing the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Delogne Charles added that NATO is mobilizing 300,000 troops to execute these plans, which will remain on high alert, along with substantial air and naval combat power.
