NATO chief seeks Jordan, Bahrain cooperation in maritime missions

Mar 9, 2010, 17:18 GMT

Brussels - NATO's top official said Tuesday that he has asked Jordan and Bahrain to contribute to alliance naval operations fighting terrorism and piracy in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf of Aden, as he ended a visit to the two countries.

NATO is keen to improve cooperation with Arab and Muslim states, seeing them as important allies for a number of missions, including the all-important deployment in Afghanistan.

'I think it is essential for security and stability in our part of the world that NATO cooperates with countries in North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf region,' Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in an online video posted at the end of his visit.

'I have invited our partners to participate in our maritime operations,' Rasmussen said.

NATO currently has two major naval deployments: Operation Active Endeavour, which focuses on counter-terrorism in the Eastern Mediterranean, and Operation Ocean Shield, fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia.

'We would very much like to strengthen cooperation (with Bahrain and Jordan) within these operations,' Rasmussen said.

Contributions could take a number of forms, such as cooperation on intelligence-gathering or logistical support.

Rasmussen also repeated an earlier call for Muslim countries to contribute to the alliance's Afghan mission.

'Active participation of soldiers with a Muslim background would clearly demonstrate the fact that our operation in Afghanistan is not about religion. It's a determined fight against extremism and terrorism,' he said.