Report

The Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA) has the honour to present its report on its participation in the 66^th Annual Session of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), which took place online from 18-23 November 2020. Canadian delegates who participated in the Annual Session included:

• Ms. Karen McCrimmon, Chair CANA and Head of the Canadian delegation;
• The Honourable Peter Boehm, Senator;
• The Honourable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, Senator;
• The Honourable Jane Cordy, Senator;
• The Honourable Pierre J. Dalphond, Senator;
• The Honourable Marilou McPhedran, Senator;
• The Honourable Vernon White, Senator;
• Mr. Ziad Aboultaif, M.P.;
• Ms. Leona Alleslev, M.P.;
• Ms. Cheryl Gallant, M.P.;
• Ms. Brenda Shanahan, M.P.;
• Ms. Nelly Shin, M.P.;

Association staff who participated in the Annual Session included David Chandonnet, Association Secretary, and James Lee, Association Advisor.

THE NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

Established in 1955, the NATO PA is an inter-parliamentary organization that brings together legislators from the national parliaments of the 30 member countries of NATO.[1] Delegates from 11 associate countries, 4 regional partner and Mediterranean associate member countries, the European Parliament and others also take part in its activities.[2] The PA is institutionally separate and independent from the official NATO structure, but serves as a liaison for NATO and member parliaments.[3] The NATO PA aims to strengthen parliamentary awareness, understanding and oversight of defence and security issues, while also enhancing the transparency of NATO policies. The Assembly also plays a significant role in deepening the transatlantic relationship that underpins the NATO Alliance.

The NATO PA has five thematic committees:

• the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security;
• the Defence and Security Committee;
• the Economics and Security Committee;
• the Political Committee; and
• the Science and Technology Committee.

Each of these committees has either one or two sub-committees. The practices of the thematic committees are similar to those of parliamentary committees: NATO PA committee members hear from experts and conduct fact-finding missions throughout the year and based on their findings, draft reports and resolutions. Committee members consider these draft reports and resolutions during NATO PA Sessions.

During the Annual Session, each committee and sub-committee debates, amends and votes on resolutions. The resolutions adopted during these meetings then become policy recommendations that are voted on by the Assembly as a whole during the Plenary Session. While recommendations adopted by the Assembly are not legally binding, they are distributed to the governments and parliaments of NATO member and associate member nations. The NATO Secretary General also provides a written response to each policy recommendation.

THE 2020 ANNUAL SESSION

The 66^th Annual Session was unique in that it was held during a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted the lives of people around the world, including in NATO countries. In terms of the NATO PA, the pandemic forced the cancellation of in-person meetings throughout most of 2020, including the Spring Session – which had been planned for Kyiv – at which the first drafts of committee reports are usually presented and debated. The Assembly adapted to the pandemic in 2020 by using videoconference technology to continue the work its committees had previously decided to pursue. It also tasked those committees to draft special reports on the impacts of the pandemic in their respective areas of expertise. The NATO PA organized some 30 meetings and webinars during the year to further examine the impact of the pandemic on the work of NATO, as well as other important subjects.

The 2020 Annual Session, which was originally to be hosted by Greece, was held online over 6 days from 18-23 November 2020. It was chaired by the President of the Assembly, Attila Mesterhazy of Hungary, who had been named acting president in December 2019, and was confirmed as president at a meeting of the NATO PA Standing Committee in May 2020. Parliamentarians, experts, and observers from NATO member countries, as well as nations from other regions participated in the Annual Session. To accommodate participants in different time zones, the schedule of the session departed from the norm in several ways, including using multiple shorter meetings and speakers that simultaneously addressed more than one committee.

Discussions were guided by the following key topics:

• the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic;
• Russia’s aggressive actions and military modernisation;
• instability in key regions of interest to NATO;
• the challenges posed by China’s rise and global ambitions; and
• the disruptive impact of emerging technologies;

The program included meetings of the Standing Committee,[4] each of the thematic committees and sub-committees, as well as an Opening Ceremony, a COVID-19 Special Meeting and two Plenary Sittings. A NATO PA coordination meeting involving members of the Bureau (President, Vice-Presidents, and Treasurer), Chairpersons of committees and sub-committees, and Rapporteurs was also held.

A. Standing Committee    

The Standing Committee met on Thursday, 19 November 2020, and on Sunday, 22 November 2020. NATO PA President Attila Mesterhazy chaired the meetings.

The Standing Committee first considered, and unanimously adopted, certain draft amendments to the NATO PA Rules of Procedure required to grant seats at the Assembly and its committees to North Macedonia, which had joined NATO in March 2020.

The Standing Committee then considered a draft declaration entitled NATO 2030; A More United and Stronger Alliance on the Global Stage, to be presented at the Plenary Sitting by President Mesterhazy. The president presented the draft declaration, which was debated, amended, and finally adopted unanimously by the Standing Committee.

In its second meeting, the Standing Committee began by considering proposed candidates for the Bureau of the Assembly. As there was only one candidate for the presidency, and also five candidates for five positions as vice president, all would proceed by acclamation at the plenary sitting.

In terms of the Assembly’s activities in 2020 and 2021, the Standing Committee was briefed on the Assembly’s election observation mission to the first round of Georgia’s parliamentary election, which was held on 31 October 2020. This was the Assembly’s only in-person activity since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Secretary General of the PA, Ruxandra Popa, provided an overview of its activities in 2020 and proposed activities for 2021. She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had made the work challenging in 2020 and said that, while the goal was to be realistic and maximise the opportunities for assembly members to engage, the ongoing uncertainty would also affect proposed activities for 2021. The Standing Committee adopted the proposed list of topics and activities for 2021.

In terms of finances, the Standing Committee heard a presentation from the chairperson of the International Board of Auditors for NATO, who presented the main findings from the audits of the 2018 financial statements of NATO and NATO entities.

The NATO PA’s treasurer then presented the draft Assembly budget for 2021, which would see zero nominal growth compared to that of 2020. This was approved unanimously. During discussion, it was noted that the inability to organize in-person meetings in 2020 had resulted in some savings. While the decision had been taken earlier not to immediately return these funds to member delegations, it was stated that this subject could be discussed again in the future considering developments in 2021.

The Standing Committee meetings ended with a discussion of future sessions and meetings.

Canadian Participation:

Canada was represented at the Standing Committee meetings by Karen McCrimmon M.P., the Chair of CANA and Head of the Canadian delegation, and Cheryl Gallant M.P., opposition Vice-Chair of the association and Deputy Head of the delegation.

B. Committee Business   

NATO PA committees met over the course of the four days from 19-22 November 2020, at times simultaneously. During those meetings, committees considered the revised reports and resolutions that had been first presented during meetings in the summer and early fall of 2020. These were open for final amendments before being put to a vote in their respective committees.

In addition, the committee meetings were also an opportunity for delegates to hear from key ministers from the Greek government, as well as NATO officials and academic experts on issues of interest to the Alliance.

1. Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security   

The Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security met online on Thursday, 19 November, and on Sunday, 22 November 2020.[5]

One speaker addressed the Civil Dimension of Security Committee (and simultaneously the Political Committee) on 19 November:

• Nikos Dendias, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, who spoke on The Greek Perspective on the Alliance’s Adaptation to the Changing Strategic Environment.

Minister Dendias provided an overview of Greece’s position on the challenges facing NATO and need to adapt the Alliance as a result. Among the points he noted were the importance of shared values, the NATO 2030 reflection process, sustained defence spending, arms control and disarmament and cooperation between NATO and the European Union. He also emphasized the importance of countering evolving security threats on NATO’s eastern and southern flanks, including migration flows on the latter. Although he did not name Turkey, with which Greece has had longstanding tensions, he urged NATO not to tolerate “practices undertaken by some Allies that undermine the integrity and unity of the Alliance” including violations of international law and unilateral actions against other Allies. The minister also responded to questions, including from Turkish delegates.

During the Committee’s meetings, its rapporteurs also presented draft reports and a resolution for consideration and amendment. Four reports and one resolution were adopted during these meetings.[6] Finally, the Committee discussed its future studies and activities and elected committee and sub-committee officers.

Canadian Participation:

Canadians who participated in the Committee’s deliberations included: Senator Jane Cordy, the Chair of the Committee’s Sub-Committee on Democratic Governance; Senator Peter Boehm; Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu; Senator Marilou McPhedran; Senator Vernon White; Cheryl Gallant M.P.; and Karen McCrimmon M.P.

The Defence and Security Committee met on Saturday, 21 November and on Sunday, 22 November 2020.[7]

2. Defence and Security Committee   

Two speakers addressed the Committee during its meetings:

• Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Minister of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic, spoke on NATO's Adaptation Process and Developments in The Eastern Mediterranean.
• Dr. Richard Connolly, Director of the Centre for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies at the University of Birmingham, Associate Fellow at RUSI, and Director, Eastern Advisory Group, spoke on Russian Military Modernisation: Challenges and Prospects.

The Greek Minister of National Defence addressed the Committee on 21 November, which he noted was Armed Forces Day in Greece, and also answered questions from delegates. The minister began by stating that his ministry’s principal mission is “to maintain robust armed forces capable of defending Greece and upholding its commitments to NATO. The minister underlined the volatility of the increasingly complex security environment, focusing on tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.  Although the minister did not mention Turkey, he did refer to “provocations” by an unnamed NATO ally. More generally, he noted the importance to a commitment to international law, and to consensus decision-making within NATO.

Dr. Richard Connolly addressed the Committee on 22 November and also answered questions from delegates. Dr. Connolly, who is a specialist on the Russian economy, focused on the economic aspects of Russian military modernization. He stated that while analysts often attempt to estimate Russian defence spending based on the size of that country’s economy, this was misleading. He recommended instead using Purchasing Power Parity exchange rates, which adjust for differences in costs across countries. Using this calculation yields a much higher Russian defence budget than is widely supposed, which explains how Russia has been able to compete with the United States and NATO. Following a significant increase in spending in 2010-2016, Russia’s military spending has levelled out at around its historic average. Dr. Connolly also noted that while Russia spends less than the U.S. on overall research and development – partly because the latter also has private sector investment – the Russian government does spend enough to invent and develop new systems. However, its defence industry is less good at producing those than at developing them. Overall, he warned that NATO Allies should avoid complacency regarding Russia’s military, which was “leaner, meaner and more modern” than was the case decades ago.

During the Committee meetings, rapporteurs presented reports and a resolution for consideration and amendment. Four reports and one resolution were adopted during the Committee’s meetings.[8] The Committee also discussed future studies and activities, and elected Committee officers. Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu was elected vice chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defence.

Canadian Participation:

Canadians who participated in the Committee’s deliberations included: Senator Pierre-Hughes Boisvenu; Senator Pierre J. Dalphond; Senator Vernon White; Cheryl Gallant M.P., and Nelly Shin M.P.

3. Economics and Security Committee    

The Economics and Security Committee met on Friday 20 November and Saturday, 21 November 2020.[9]

One speaker addressed the Economics and Security Committee (and simultaneously the Science and Technology Committee) on 20 November 2020:

• Dr Stamatios Krimigis, Head Emeritus and Principal Staff, Space Department, Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Chair of Science of Space, Academy of Athens, and Advisor, Minister of Digital Governance, the Hellenic Republic, spoke on The Importance of Space in Security and Economy.

Dr. Krimigis began by stating that the global space economy stood at roughly US$360 (C$466.5) billion in 2018. Spending by governments made up only 22% however, with the U.S. government spending roughly US$50 (C$64.8) billion in that year and all other governments combined roughly US$30.5 (C$39.5) billion. The remainder of the spending, he explained, is commercial and focused on satellites and related services. He added that the growth in space expenditures is about twice of that of economies in general and noted that entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk are having a growing impact in this area.

Dr.Krimingis stated that space is undergoing a powerful transformation because of innovations such as signal intelligence and reconnaissance, geolocation and spoofing technology, satellite communications from low earth orbit, responsive launchers, etc.

He then described the space-related investments of the European Union, which include the Galileo navigation satellite program that has cost some €22 (C$32.6) billion since it began in 1998, and the Copernicus project, which collects climate change data and has cost some €6.7 (C$9.9) billion since it began in 2014. He also discussed the key role played by the European Space Agency and recommended the creation of a European equivalent of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

During the Committee meetings, the rapporteurs presented reports and a resolution for debate, amendment and adoption. Four reports and one resolution were adopted.[10] This was followed by a discussion of future studies and activities, and the election of Committee and sub-committee officers.

Canadian participation:

Canadians who participated in the Committee’s deliberations included: Senator Peter Boehm; Ziad Aboultaif M.P.; Cheryl Gallant M.P.; and Nelly Shin M.P.

4. Political Committee   

The Political Committee met on Thursday 19 November and Friday 20 November.[11]

One speaker addressed the Political Committee (and simultaneously the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security) on 19 November:

• Nikos Dendias, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, who spoke on The Greek Perspective on the Alliance’s Adaptation to the Changing Strategic Environment.

(The presentation by Minister Dendias was previously discussed above under the heading “the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security”).

During the Committee meetings, the rapporteurs presented their draft reports and a draft resolution. After consideration and amendment, four reports and one resolution were adopted.[12] Finally, the Committee discussed future studies and activities and elected committee and sub-committee officers. Cheryl Gallant MP was elected vice-chairperson of the Committee.

Canadian participation:

Canadians who participated in the Committee’s deliberations included: Senator Peter Boehm; Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu; Senator Marilou McPhedran; and Cheryl Gallant M.P.

5. Science and Technology Committee   

The Science and Technology Committee met on Friday 20 November and Saturday, 21 November 2020.[13]

Two speakers addressed this Committee:

• Dr Stamatios Krimigis, Head Emeritus and Principal Staff, Space Department, Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Chair of Science of Space, Academy of Athens, and Advisor, Minister of Digital Governance, the Hellenic Republic, who simultaneously addressed the Economics and Security Committee, spoke on The Importance of Space in Security and Economy.
• Dr. Rob Murray, Head of Innovation, Emerging Security Challenges Division, NATO, who spoke on Becoming Technology Ready: What Allies Should Consider.

(The presentation by Dr. Krimigis was previously described above under the Economics and Security Committee).

Dr. Rob Murray addressed the Committee on 21 November. He began by noting the draft resolution on defence innovation to be presented to the Committee by Leona Alleslev MP. While some Allies do very well in terms of defence innovation based on metrics such as market value of firms or the number of patents, he observed, the fact that these are not evenly distributed across the Alliance makes the issue less one of racing to develop technology than of racing to adopt it. He argued that to get NATO ready for the technology adoption race, four things were needed. NATO needs to ensure that that member countries: digitize data and ensure it is not siloed; develop common standards; develop creative financing mechanisms; and invest in their people and education beyond scientists.

Ms. Leona Alleslev M.P. served as Special Rapporteur for the Science and Technology Committee. She presented a report and a resolution, both entitled Defence Innovation. Following amendments and debate, the Committee adopted four reports and one resolution during its meetings.[14] The Committee also discussed future studies and activities, and elected committee and sub-committee officers. Ms. Alleslev was elected Rapporteur of the Sub-Committee on Technology Trends and Security.

Canadian participation:

Canadians who participated in the Committee’s deliberations included: Senator Peter Boehm; Ziad Aboultaif M.P.; Leona Alleslev M.P.; Cheryl Gallant M.P.; and Nelly Shin M.P.

C. Opening Ceremony   

The Opening Ceremony took place on 18 November 2020. President Attila Mesterhazy presided.

The president began by noting the impact of the pandemic on all NATO countries and on the work of the Assembly itself. He summarized key challenges facing NATO, as well as the need for actions such as investing in defence, strengthening the transatlantic bond, staying true to NATO’s values, and maintaining an “open door” to the Alliance. He also stated that “with this session, we demonstrate that, no matter the setting, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly provides an essential forum for open and frank political dialogue on transatlantic security.”[15]

Delegates were then addressed by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic. The prime minister stressed the need to confront the challenges posed by terrorism and hybrid and cyber-attacks. He then discussed tensions between Allies and stated that they should keep in mind the geopolitical implications of their policies and actions. Finally, he also welcomed the recent election of Joe Biden as President of the United States (U.S.).[16]

Delegates were also addressed by Konstantinos Hatzidakis, the Minister of Environment and Energy of the Hellenic Republic.

D. COVID-19 Special Meeting   

During the COVID-19 Special Meeting, rapporteurs from the five standing committees, as well as the Mediterranean and Middle East Special Group, presented special reports on the security implications of the COVID-19 crisis that had been presented to those bodies in July 2020 and subsequently amended.[17]

Those amended draft reports were:

• From the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security, The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on the Civil Dimension of Security.
• From the Defence and Security Committee, NATO’s Essential Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• From the Economic and Security Committee, The Economic Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• From the Political Committee, COVID-19 and Transatlantic Security.
• From the Science and Technology Committee, COVID-19, International Security, and the Importance of NATO’s Science and Technology Network.

The amended draft reports were presented by rapporteurs from each Committee, who outlined the key points of the reports and recommendations for the future. The floor was then opened for questions or comments, which included discussion of proposed amendments to the reports. The reports were not voted on in the COVID-19 Special Meeting, but rather were adopted in the meetings of the respective committees.[18]

E. Plenary Sittings   

The two Plenary Sittings of the 66th Annual Session took place on Monday, 23 November 2020. President Attila Mesterhazy presided.[19]

The plenary sittings began with an address by President Mesterhazy. He summarized key challenges facing the Alliance, discussed the ongoing NATO 2030 reflection process and noted that the resolution he would present later that day made recommendations on the way forward.[20]

President Mesterhazy was followed by the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, who spoke on “Adapting NATO for 2030 and beyond.” After noting the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secretary General discussed the ongoing NATO 2030 reflection process. He reminded delegates of his priorities for NATO 2030: to ensure that NATO remains a strong military Alliance, to strengthen it politically, and to take a more global approach. Recognizing the various ways in which members of the Assembly had contributed to the reflection process, he stated that “[y]our input will feed into my recommendations for NATO Leaders when they meet next year.” More generally, he said that “[a]ll of you in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly play a crucial role in preparing NATO for the future, as we look to 2030 and beyond.”[21] He then responded to questions from delegates.

The plenary then adopted the revised rules of procedure made necessary to accommodate North Macedonia’s joining of NATO.

Delegates then turned to the election of the NATO PA’s president and vice-presidents. The head of the U.S. delegation, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, was elected president by acclamation. In his acceptance speech, President-elect Connolly noted that this was “a critical moment” for the Alliance. He also stated that “we must continue to insist that Allies uphold the founding democratic principles of the North Atlantic Treaty and consider support for democratic institutions as a condition for membership in our Alliance.”[22]

Five vice-presidents, 4 of whom were women, were then elected by acclamation. They were: Mimi Kodheli of Albania, Karen McCrimmon M.P. of Canada, Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam of France, Marietta Giannakou of Greece, and Attila Mesterhazy of Hungary.

President Mesterhazy and other rapporteurs then proceeded to present draft resolutions from the Standing Committee and thematic committees, which were debated, amended and adopted.[23]

The treasurer of the Assembly, Wolfgang Hellmich of Germany, presented financial statements as well as the draft budget for 2021. These were adopted.

The president closed the Annual Session by thanking the Greek delegation and government, as well as the NATO PA secretariat, for their work in facilitating the 66^th Annual Session.

OTHER MEETINGS

In the days before the Annual Session, a number of Canadian parliamentarians met online with Canada’s Ambassador to NATO, His Excellency David Angell. They were briefed on and discussed a range of important issues on the Alliance’s agenda, which helped those who participated in the Annual Session prepare for those meetings.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Dzerowicz, M.P.
Chair of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association