The summit was also important because of its attempt to define more clearly a common stance in the areas of defence and security, at a time when the relationship with the United States needs to be strengthened to meet the threats of the 21st century effectively.
Samit je bio značajan i zbog pokušaja da se jasnije definiše zajednička pozicija u oblastima odbrane i bezbednosti, u trenutku kada je potrebno osnažiti odnose sa Sjedinjenim Državama, da bi se moglo efikasno odgovoriti na pretnje 21. veka.