NATO update

 

Defence Ministers address deterrence and defence, NATO missions, situation in the Middle East NATO Defence Ministers wrapped up two days of meetings in Brussels on Thursday (12 October 2023), addressing the Alliance’s defence plans and operations, and meeting with their Israeli counterpart. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant briefed his NATO counterparts by videoconference on the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli civilians. Condemning Hamas’ terrorist attacks, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said: “Israel has the right to defend itself and as the conflict unfolds, the protection of civilians is essential”. He added that “no nation or organisation hostile to Israel should seek to take advantage of the situation, or to escalate the conflict.” On the Western Balkans, Mr Stoltenberg said that NATO has deployed hundreds of extra troops to Kosovo to ensure KFOR has the forces it needs to fulfil its UN mandate impartially. He added that in Bosnia, NATO continues to support the EU-led operation Althea. On deterrence and defence, Allies discussed the next steps in operationalising NATO’s new defence plans, including by assigning forces, developing new capabilities, and adjusting command and control.  Ministers also addressed damage to critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Allies expressed strong solidarity with Estonia and Finland as they work to establish the facts.  Yesterday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Allies and partners in the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Allies assured President Zelenskyy that they would sustain and step up military aid to Kyiv. Click here to download the NATO Secretary General's press conference after day two of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence followed by a Q&A session with journalists. Click here to download all the video files of the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers. Transcripts, photos and the programme of the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers are available from the NATO website.

NATO Secretary General: “Israel does not stand alone” On the second day of the Defence Ministerial, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to NATO Headquarters and thanked Secretary Austin for the United States’ strong leadership on key issues. Earlier this morning, the Defence Ministers met in the North Atlantic Council together with Sweden and the Defence Minister of Israel, Yoav Gallant, that briefed the ministers by video conference on the atrocities by Hamas perpetrated against Israeli civilians and the nationals of several NATO Allies. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO condemned the terrorist attacks in the strongest possible terms, adding: “Israel does not stand alone.” Later in the morning, during the meeting of the North Atlantic Council, Allies expressed solidarity with Israel, making clear that it has the right to defend itself with proportionality against these unjustifiable acts of terror. They called for Hamas to immediately release all hostages, and for the fullest possible protection of civilians. Allies also made clear that no nation or organisation should seek to take advantage of the situation or to escalate it. A number of NATO Allies made clear that they are providing practical support to Israel as it continues to respond to the situation. Click here to download the NATO Secretary General's short remarks with US Secretary of Defense and here to download NATO Secretary General's opening remarks at the Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers’ Session together with Sweden. Click here to download all the video files of the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers. Transcripts, photos and the programme of the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers are available from the NATO website. NATO Secretary General welcomes Allies new pledges of support for Ukraine NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday (11 October 2023) welcomed Allies new pledges of support for Ukraine as Russia is ''preparing once again to use winter as a weapon of war.'' Speaking after the first NATO-Ukraine Council at ministerial level, Mr Stoltenberg said NATO would provide more cold weather clothing, demining capabilities, fuel, and medical equipment “to help Ukraine weather another difficult winter.” Allies discussed Ukraine’s priorities on its path to NATO membership, including long-term interoperability with NATO and defence procurement. Click here to download the NATO Secretary General's press conference after day one of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence followed by a Q&A session with journalists. Click here to download all the video files of the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers. Transcripts, photos and the programme of the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers are available from the NATO website. Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers: Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General with President Zelenskyy and arrivals of Ministers NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previewed the issues that NATO Defence Ministers will discuss over the next two days in Brussels, including support for Ukraine, strengthened deterrence and defence, NATO operations and missions, and the situation in the Middle East. He was joined by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy who is at NATO Headquarters to take part in the US-led Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, alongside more than 50 countries. The Secretary General told President Zelenskyy that “your fight is our fight, your security is our security, and your values are our values. And we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes”. He indicated that “we will further strengthen our relationship and help Ukraine move towards NATO membership”. Allied Defence Ministers will meet with their Ukrainian counterpart, Minister Umerov, in the NATO-Ukraine Council this afternoon to discuss the situation in Ukraine and NATO’s continued support. Click here to download the doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General and President Zelenskyy and here for arrivals of Defence Ministers. The programme of the meeting, photos and transcript are available from the NATO website. Press Office 11 October 2023 Updated media programme - Meeting of Ministers of Defence 11-12 October 2023 A meeting of Defence Ministers is taking place on 11-12 October 2023 at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The meeting is chaired by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. View the updated event programme with new times/event on Thursday 12 October on the NATO website. Or download the detailed media programme (PDF). UPDATE - Meeting of Ministers of Defence, Brussels, 11-12 October 2023 CHANGE OF TIMING On Wednesday 11 October, the NATO Secretary General will give a doorstep statement at NATO Headquarters in Brussels at the earlier time of +/- 08:20 (CEST). For any questions contact the NATO Press Office.  Τhe event programme is available on the NATO website. Defence Ministers address deterrence and defence, NATO missions, situation in the Middle East NATO Defence Ministers wrapped up two days of meetings in Brussels on 12 October 2023, addressing the Alliance’s defence plans and operations, and meeting with their Israeli counterpart. READ MORE NATO Secretary General: “Israel does not stand alone” NATO Allies condemned the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel in a meeting of Defence Ministers on 12 October 2023. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant briefed ministers by video conference on the atrocities by Hamas perpetrated against Israeli civilians and the nationals of several NATO Allies. READ MORE Secretary General welcomes US Secretary of Defense to meeting of NATO Defence Ministers Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to NATO Headquarters on 12 October 2023 for a second day of meetings of Allied Defence Ministers. READ MORE NATO Secretary General welcomes Allies' new pledges of support for Ukraine NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on 11 October 2023 welcomed Allies' new pledges of support for Ukraine as Russia is ''preparing once again to use winter as a weapon of war.'' READ MORE NATO Defence Ministers launch initiative to enhance maritime surveillance capabilities On 12 October 2023 NATO Defence Ministers and the Swedish Defence Minister endorsed the Digital Ocean Vision, a pioneering initiative to enhance NATO’s maritime situational awareness from seabed to space. The Digital Ocean initiative will transform Allied maritime domain awareness by enhancing coordination between national and Allied capabilities employed for maritime surveillance. This includes a broad range of assets from satellites to autonomous systems below, on, and above the sea. READ MORE NATO strengthens joint air power cooperation Two initiatives were signed in the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting this week, demonstrating Allies’ commitment to working together to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence in the air domain. READ MORE 10 NATO Allies take further step to boost European air and missile defence capabilities Defence Ministers from 10 NATO Allies came together on 11 October 2023 to sign a memorandum of understanding to further develop the European Sky Shield Initiative. Under Germany’s leadership, the initiative aims to bolster European air and missile defence through the joint acquisition of air defence equipment and missiles by European nations. READ MORE NATO Security Policy Directors address Allied security challenges in Romania Directors responsible for security policy from Allied Foreign Affairs Ministries and invitee Sweden met in Romania on 9-10 October 2023 to address current security challenges facing the Alliance.