NATO SUMMIT VILNUS 2023, CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NATO 2022 STRATEGIC CONCEPT
NATO SUMMIT VILNUS 2023, CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NATO 2022 STRATEGIC CONCEPT

Summary/Abstract: In the period 11-12 July, 2023, a regular Summit of the Alliance was held in Vilnius, Lithuania. The summit was held in specific circumstances caused by the war in Ukraine, the rebellion of the Wagner Group in Russia and the Ukrainian counter-offensive. At the Vilnius Summit, the Heads of States and Governments confirmed part of the decisions taken at the meetings of the North Atlantic Council at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Level (held in May in Oslo) and the Ministry of Defence Level (held on 15-16 June in Brussels). At the Vilnius Summit, the Allies made key decisions related to the adoption of Regional Defence Plans, enduring commitment of the new "Defence Investment Pledge" - DIP that will become effective after 2024, as well as decisions related to the future of Ukraine. Namely, three key decisions were made in relation to Ukraine: the NATO-Ukraine Council was established, a substantial package of expanded political and practical support for the European and Euro-Atlantic future was agreed, and the Comprehensive Assistance Package to support Ukraine in the next ten years was approved. NATO announced that Ukraine will receive an invitation to join the Alliance when it meets the requirements. A facilitating circumstance towards NATO integration is that Ukraine will not need to participate in the Membership Action Plan which has been mandatory since 1999 for countries aspiring for membership. This decision simplifies the Ukrainian request to join NATO from two to a one-step process. During the Summit, the Heads of States and Governments also adopted a Vilnius Summit Communiqué in which they presented the achievements in the implementation of the 2022 Strategic Concept commitments, defined policies on certain open issues and gave additional guidelines for the implementation of the obligations arising from the Concept. The Summit also discussed the Alliance's relations with the Indo-Pacific partners and future cooperation in that domain, the situation in the Western Balkans, and reaffirmed NATO's policy regarding threats from terrorism and Russia.

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