Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović saúda Luka Modrić, E. Macron aplaude |
Dois dos temas mais quentes desta semana foram a
efusividade e boa figura da Presidente da Croácia a apoiar a selecção finalista
do Campeonato Mundial de Futebol na Rússia e a cimeira da NATO em Bruxelas. À primeira
vista os assuntos nada têm que ver, mas para mim sim. Em 2012/13 eu editava uma
revista de relações internacionais que fundei, a Think South Asia magazine, que saía em versão digital e também
circulava em formato impresso nos meandros políticos e diplomáticos de
Bruxelas. Nesses anos, em visitas que fiz à NATO, tive o privilégio de conhecer
e entrevistar a senhora embaixadora Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović que na altura era
a “NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy” até se tornar a
Presidente da Croácia em 2015, função que brilhantemente tem desempenhado até
hoje. Antes disso já tinha sido Embaixadora da Croácia nos EUA e Ministra dos
Negócios Estrangeiros. É fluente em Português, católica e tendencialmente conservadora. Aqui
fica o registo duma pequena entrevista que lhe fiz em 2012 acerca do
envolvimento da NATO no Afeganistão:
António
Vieira da Cruz (AVC): How do you see 9/11 in 2012 from the NATO
perspective?
Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović (KGK): The attacks of September 11, 2001 were
not only against the United States, but against the principles and values
shared by a global community of democratic nations. Eleven years after these
attacks, the commitment to the principles and values of the North Atlantic Alliance
is firm, and our sense of solidarity and unity remains strong. Since the events
of 9-11, working together and with partner nations around the world, the
members of the Alliance have taken wide-ranging measures that ensure,
collectively, we now face the future better prepared.
AVC: What has been the impact of NATO’s mission in
Afghanistan, in particular with respect to a military presence in South Asia?
KGK: NATO’s primary objective in Afghanistan is to
enable the Afghan authorities to provide effective security to ensure the
country can never again be a safe haven for terrorists. The nations that make
up the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) continue to work
shoulder-to-shoulder - shona-ba-shona
– with Afghan National Security Forces, building a more secure, stable future for
the people of Afghanistan. In the eleven years of this partnership, the lives
of the Afghan people have improved in terms of security, access to education
and health care, economic opportunity and the assurance of rights and freedoms.
The task is not yet complete, but Afghanistan’s self-reliance grows stronger
each day. In light of the progress over the last 11 years, and building on our
firm and shared commitment, we are confident that our strong partnership will
lead towards a better future. Regional security, stability and development are interlinked,
and a secure and stable Afghanistan is critical for a secure and stable South
Asia.
AVC: How do you foresee NATO’s continued engagement
with Afghanistan after the withdrawal of troops?
KGK: As the Chicago Summit Declaration stated in
May 2012, Afghanistan will not stand alone. NATO’s commitment to Afghanistan is
firm. At the Lisbon Summit in 2010, NATO and the Government of Afghanistan
signed the Enduring Partnership Declaration, and at the Chicago Summit in 2012,
NATO Allies, along with ISAF partners, built on this commitment to provide the Afghan
national security forces with the necessary training, advising and assistance
moving forward that they need to fulfil their duties. NATO and the Afghan
Government have a clear road map through this Transition process, by which full
security responsibility for Afghanistan is gradually transitioned from ISAF to
the Afghan government. After 2014, the Alliance has committed to providing strong
and long-term political and practical support through our Enduring Partnership
with Afghanistan.
AVC: What are the current hopes and dreams for the
future of NATO?
KGK: At the Chicago Summit, the Heads of State and
Government of the member countries of the Alliance recommitted to the core values
of NATO, as defined in the Strategic Concept, as the transatlantic framework
for strong collective defence, and the essential forum for security
consultations and decisions among Allies. NATO has three essential core tasks –
collective defence, crisis management, and cooperative security – all of which
contribute to safeguarding Alliance members. With the strong partnership of,
and dialogue with, nations around the world, the Alliance’s work remains at the
forefront of security: From fighting piracy off the Horn of Africa, to efforts
in improving cyber defence, to our commitment in supporting United Nations
Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and UNSCR
1612 and related Resolutions on the protection of children affected by armed
conflict. The Alliance is also looking to emerging challenges, and the requirement
that we must make best use of our resources and to continue to adapt our forces
and structures. We remain committed to our common values, and are determined to
ensure NATO’s ability to meet any challenges to our shared security.
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