In order to enhance security and regional stability in the broader Middle-East region, NATO launched its Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) at the 2004 Summit. This complements the Partnership for Peace, Mediterranean Dialogue and other initiatives and is offered to any interested countries in the region. It focuses on practical cooperation where NATO can add value, particularly in the fields of defence and security.

The initiative enables countries with limited experience of NATO to benefit from guidance and support in the following areas:


» Defence reform
» Military cooperation
» The fight against terrorism
» Preventing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) proliferation
» Border security
» Civil emergency planning

Subject to the agreement of the North Atlantic Council, the Palestinian Authority would be included under the terms of the initiative.