We noted that considerable progress has been made towards implementing the recommendations in the report which we published last December on Enhancing Alliance Security, but much remains to be done. The main developments are set out in greater detail in a progress report which we are publishing separately. We reviewed military assistance to and defence industrial co-operation with Greece, Portugal and Turkey. Deficiencies in the equipment of these three countries remain a matter of particular and longstanding concern and improvements in their defence capability would be of benefit to the Alliance as a whole. Although all three are making substantial efforts of their own, the shortcomings can only be overcome with assistance from other Allies.
Some countries already make substantial assistance available.
Last year we introduced Military Assistance Requirements into our defence planning process in an attempt to increase the overall level of assistance and to broaden its basis. The response so far has been disappointing but we agreed to seek to enhance our efforts to this end. We also discussed work under way on a range of specific defence plan- ning issues. We received a progress report by NATO's Military Authorities concerning the necessary level and appropriate mix of military training and exercises in Europe, which we will consider further when complete. Mindful of the need to minimise the impact on the environment, we will continue to reduce as far as possible the inconvenience and disruption to our publics caused by exercises and training, while still maintaining necessary operational standards.