The Assembly's work also creates much transparency of Alliance policies and a degree of collective accountability. In this respect, during recent years, the Assembly has developed a much closer relationship with its governmental counterpart. NATO and its member governments have come to recognise the Assembly as an essential partner in achieving Alliance objectives. Nowhere is this more true than the Assembly's programme of assistance and co-operation with the new democracies which has become an integral part of NATO's own partnership programme. Beyond their value as indicators of public attitudes, parliamentary debates also have an intrinsic value of their own.
Parliamentarians have the freedom to explore new ideas and concepts in the search for solutions.
Unlike government officials and representatives who are normally fettered by a rigid adherence to the official line, parliamentarians can test the horizons. Today, as the Alliance takes on new roles and new responsibilities and as it looks to a further round of enlargement, free and frank dialogue in which all the options are explored is more important than ever. Governments have no monopoly of wisdom on securing the route to peace and stability. This can only be achieved by pooling our collective ideas, the executive and legislative branches working together. It is for these reasons that I believe that this collection of parliamentary views is both timely and appropriate.