Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday the development of a new strategic concept for NATO would top the agenda at next week's summit of 26 NATO member states, co-hosted by France and Germany.

"NATO needs an adaptation of its strategy to new challenges," Merkel told the German parliament, adding that the transatlantic alliance needed to incorporate the "basic principle of networked security" to address current and future threats.

NATO could only successfully provide security to its member states if military action is combined with efforts to stabilize and help develop those countries threatening the alliance, Merkel said.

To do so, the chancellor said, NATO needed to define and strengthen its relationship with partner organizations, such as the UN, the African Union and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

"This may sound simple, but is comparatively revolutionary," the chancellor said.

Merkel said Afghanistan, currently NATO's biggest challenge, would be the topic of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. The chancellor said she was also expecting details on the new US administration's strategy for the region.

Merkel made it clear Germany did not intend to increase its troop deployment to Afghanistan. "With our achievements since 2002, we Germans can really allow ourselves to be seen in the alliance," the chancellor said.

US President Barack Obama has previously asked NATO member states to increase their presence in the region.

Merkel said the Afghan government played a crucial role in ensuring lasting stability. The chancellor said the government of President Hamid Karzai had a "duty" to rebuild the country, which included the fight against poppy cultivation.

Other topics on the agenda at the summit in NATO's 60th anniversary year are to include the eastward expansion of the alliance and its relationship with Russia.

The chancellor said trust, which was paramount to the relationship with Russia, "must be solidified."

Merkel is due to meet Russian President Alexander Medvedev in Berlin next week.

Merkel spoke of the symbolism of France and Germany jointly hosting the 60th anniversary summit, at a site where the two former enemies had fought for centuries.

France will formally rejoin NATO's command structure at the summit on April 3-4.

Merkel also spoke of the role the alliance had played in rebuilding her country. "Germany has a lot to thank NATO and the Allies for," Merkel said. (dpa)