WASHINGTON, September 2 (Ria Novosti), Lyudmila Chernova – Australia's intention to become a member of the NATO's Enhanced Partnership Program will let it get some prestige for its military, but the significance of this move will be minimal, believes John Quigley, the professor emeritus at the Ohio State University.
"The move reflects approval by Australia of NATO and its recent posture in regard to Ukraine, but there will likely be no major impact," Quigley told RIA Novosti on Tuesday. "Australia seems to be interested in upgrading its profile internationally. It may get a bit of prestige for its military, and there could be more sharing of military training and tactics."
"The significance of this move is likely overall to be minimal," he concluded.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Tuesday that Australia would be accepting a formal invitation to become what is called an enhanced partner. He stressed that the country is planning on strengthening its ties with NATO in hopes of attaining a greater role in global crises.
"The plan for Australia to become an ‘enhanced partner’ of NATO grows out of Australia’s collaboration with NATO in Afghanistan," Quigley said.
Australia is not a NATO member, but has fought alongside the coalition in Iraq and Afghanistan, motivating the move toward a more powerful role in ongoing global conflicts such as in Iraq and Syria and in Ukraine.
NATO members are scheduled to meet this week in Wales to discuss the alliance's response to Russia, which it accuses of interfering in Ukrainian affairs.
The summit will focus on "the evolution of partnerships" of NATO with nonmembers and on the "narrative for the Post-2014 era" of the relevance of NATO's existence in the post-Cold War period and its future after US troops withdraw from Afghanistan at the end of the year.
The leaders of some 60 countries are expected to attend the summit.
