WEBVTT 00:03.940 --> 00:07.560 this is good news for Afghanistan . Its 00:07.560 --> 00:10.910 forces will benefit from this valuable 00:10.920 --> 00:13.740 equipment to improve the security of 00:13.750 --> 00:17.530 Afghan citizens . We also adopted a 00:17.530 --> 00:20.300 new NATO Russia action plan on 00:20.310 --> 00:23.140 terrorism to deal with a common 00:23.140 --> 00:25.900 challenge that concerns all our 00:25.910 --> 00:29.130 citizens and we addressed prospects 00:29.140 --> 00:31.760 for missile defence cooperation . 00:32.240 --> 00:35.680 This important exchange will continue 00:35.690 --> 00:39.220 with vigor in the coming months . And 00:39.230 --> 00:41.860 now I'm happy to take your questions . 00:42.740 --> 00:44.840 Please introduce yourself and your 00:44.840 --> 00:47.750 media organization writers . Hello Erik 00:47.750 --> 00:49.890 Hersman from Reuters . Has there been 00:49.890 --> 00:51.834 any progress in getting additional 00:51.834 --> 00:54.001 strike aircraft do you need in Libya ? 00:54.001 --> 00:56.057 And can this mission succeed without 00:56.057 --> 00:58.057 greater U . S . Participation ? And 00:58.057 --> 00:59.946 what are your views of the letter 00:59.946 --> 01:03.920 issued by France UK and the US first of 01:03.920 --> 01:07.560 all as I indicated yesterday , um 01:08.340 --> 01:12.060 overall and our commanders 01:12.740 --> 01:16.550 do have the assets they need . But 01:17.240 --> 01:21.160 um , they also request of 01:21.540 --> 01:25.320 a number of precision uh 01:25.320 --> 01:28.560 huh fighter aircrafts . Um , 01:29.340 --> 01:32.880 we we have got indications that nations 01:32.890 --> 01:36.300 will deliver what is needed . Uh , 01:36.310 --> 01:39.690 but this was not a force generation 01:39.690 --> 01:42.160 conference or a pledging conference . 01:42.170 --> 01:46.050 So , uh , I'm hopeful that we will 01:46.440 --> 01:50.340 um get the necessary assets 01:50.350 --> 01:54.060 in the very near near future 01:55.140 --> 01:58.330 and on the United States 01:58.330 --> 02:02.240 participation , I can inform you that 02:02.250 --> 02:05.400 the United States already participate 02:05.410 --> 02:08.530 in the operation and 02:08.540 --> 02:11.470 contributes with critical 02:11.480 --> 02:15.450 critical capabilities while NATO as 02:15.450 --> 02:18.750 such is in the lead of this operation . 02:18.760 --> 02:21.210 But as you all know , the United States 02:21.210 --> 02:23.810 is a very prominent ally and in that 02:23.810 --> 02:26.100 capacity . The United States also 02:26.110 --> 02:29.460 contribute to our operation . 02:30.140 --> 02:33.340 And finally , on the letter 02:33.570 --> 02:37.130 from President Obama , President 02:37.130 --> 02:41.010 Sarkozy and Prime Minister Cameron , I 02:41.020 --> 02:44.560 think the letter reflects 02:44.940 --> 02:48.410 the unity of purpose and determination 02:48.420 --> 02:51.660 of NATO allies . Exactly , 02:52.040 --> 02:55.990 a the unity we expressed yesterday in 02:56.000 --> 02:59.610 our Libya statement yesterday , 02:59.700 --> 03:02.970 NATO Foreign ministers made clear the 03:02.970 --> 03:05.780 three military objectives of 03:05.790 --> 03:09.760 our mission in Libya firstly , 03:10.240 --> 03:14.160 an end to all attacks and the 03:14.170 --> 03:16.720 threat of attacks against civilians . 03:17.240 --> 03:20.350 Secondly , that withdrawal of all 03:20.350 --> 03:24.020 regime forces to barracks And 3rdly , 03:24.030 --> 03:27.860 an immediate humanitarian access . And 03:27.870 --> 03:30.920 we strongly endorsed the call by the 03:30.920 --> 03:33.870 Contact group for Gaddafi to leave 03:33.880 --> 03:37.760 power . So NATO is absolutely 03:37.770 --> 03:40.250 determined to continue its operation 03:40.260 --> 03:42.660 for as long as there is a threat 03:42.670 --> 03:46.390 against libyan civilians . And 03:46.580 --> 03:49.620 it's impossible to imagine that threat 03:49.630 --> 03:52.660 disappeared with Gaddafi in power . 03:56.140 --> 03:58.960 German television in the middle of that . 04:01.640 --> 04:03.720 Yes , can you close on german 04:03.730 --> 04:06.780 television CTF , is there any chance 04:06.780 --> 04:08.670 any interpretation of the U . N . 04:08.670 --> 04:12.550 Resolution 1973 to get boots 04:12.550 --> 04:16.500 on the grounds ? No . Uh 04:16.510 --> 04:19.220 this issue has not been discussed uh 04:19.230 --> 04:23.210 and it is not mandated uh by the U . 04:23.210 --> 04:26.880 N . Resolution 1973 . 04:26.890 --> 04:30.090 And I have not heard any request of 04:30.100 --> 04:32.260 amendment to that resolution 04:34.740 --> 04:35.740 number then 04:39.740 --> 04:41.851 Elena Chernenko , Russian newspaper , 04:41.851 --> 04:44.020 kommersant Daily . Um just a day ago , 04:44.020 --> 04:46.076 Russian president meeting , Medvedev 04:46.076 --> 04:48.131 said that the International Partners 04:48.131 --> 04:50.242 and uh NATO have exceeded the mandate 04:50.242 --> 04:52.464 of the U . N . Resolution and this this 04:52.464 --> 04:54.464 is very dangerous for international 04:54.464 --> 04:56.687 politics . What do you think about that 04:56.687 --> 04:56.680 statement ? And how was your discussion 04:56.680 --> 04:59.350 with Russia and Libya , thank you . We 04:59.350 --> 05:02.100 had a very , very positive exchange of 05:02.100 --> 05:03.460 views today .