ΝΑΤΟ update

 

NATO Allies train hard in the trenches A well-dug trench can be your greatest friend – or your worst enemy. That is why two NATO Allies Estonia and France trained in the demanding art of moving and fighting through trench networks. French Army paratroopers and members of the Estonian Defence League put their close-quarters combat skills to the test during a multi-day exercise aimed at introducing themselves to the rigors of trench warfare. In the cold, wet mud, the soldiers spent hours learning how to quickly clear corners, root defenders out of entrenched bunkers and make fighting positions safe for follow-on forces. While trenches might conjure visions of the First World War, they are increasingly common in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Trenches offer advantages for defenders, and significant hazards for attacking forces. For Allied forces to deter aggression – and, if necessary, defend Allied territory – they must be fully prepared to effectively defend or neutralise trench networks. The training was run by soldiers from the French Army’s 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment, which arrived in Estonia in early September to train Estonian reservists in military operations in built-up areas. Click here to download the video. NATO concludes contracts for another $1.2 billion in artillery ammunition On Tuesday (23 January 2024), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and General Manager of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) Stacy Cummings concluded contracts for the purchase of around 220,000 155-millimetre artillery shells worth 1.2 billion US dollars. “This demonstrates that NATO’s tried and tested structures for joint procurement are delivering,” said the NATO Secretary General. “Russia’s war in Ukraine has become a battle for ammunition, so it is important that Allies refill their own stocks, as we continue to support Ukraine.” Click here to download the remarks by NATO Secretary General and General Manager of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), as well as a b-roll of the signing ceremony. The transcript of the remarks as well as the photos, are available on the NATO Website.

Press Release 24 January 2024

NATO Secretary General meets the Prime Minister of Montenegro On Friday 26 January 2024, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will receive the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Milojko Spajić, at NATO Headquarters. 10:30 (CET) Press point by the Secretary General and the Prime Minister of Montenegro Media coverage Media representatives who were annually accredited to NATO in 2023 can cover the press conference in person, that badge is valid for this. When the new 2024 badges are issued, they will also be allow access for this event. The event will be streamed live on the NATO website and on X (formerly Twitter) @NATOPress. A transcript of the Secretary General’s remarks as well as photographs will be available on the NATO website. The video will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event. For more information: Contact the NATO Press Office

23 January 2024

Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence – Brussels, 15 February 2024 GENERAL Allied Defence Ministers will meet at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 15 February 2024. The meeting will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. Media representatives without annual accreditation to NATO for 2024 can apply for ad-hoc accreditation to the Ministerial meeting. The deadline for accreditation is Sunday 4 February 2024 at midnight. The Secretary General will address the media after the Ministerial meeting. PROGRAMME A detailed media programme of the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers will be available on the NATO website closer to the event. For information about individual Ministers’ media programmes, please contact the national delegations. A list of delegation press officers is available from NATO Press & Media (press@hq.nato.int). MEDIA ACCREDITATION Media representatives with an annual accreditation to NATO for 2024 do not need to apply for separate accreditation for this event. All other media representatives wishing to cover the meeting need to apply for accreditation via NATO’s media accreditation platform: https://my.hq.nato.int. Please find instructions on how to log in or create a new profile in Annex 1. The deadline to register and apply for media accreditation is Sunday 4 February 2024 at midnight. Please apply as early as possible to allow for sufficient time for processing accreditation requests. NATO will confirm accreditation explicitly by email. Please bring a printout of the confirmation email when collecting your badge. Media passes must be collected in person upon presentation of the confirmation email, as well as the documents used to apply for accreditation at the Main Entrance, NATO Headquarters, Boulevard Leopold III 1110 Brussels. You must bring the same ID document and the same press card or editor’s letter that you used to apply for accreditation online. Ad-hoc accreditation badges will be given out to media representatives on a counter specifically designated for the purpose. Collection of annual accreditation is separate and can only be done at the main pass office. Passes must be visible at all times. Please arrive early to clear security checks. Security personnel will examine and may test equipment and personal effects. MEDIA ACCESS Accredited media representatives can work in the press area of NATO Headquarters on the day of the Ministerial meeting, and access all public areas. The opening hours of the press area will be communicated in the media programme. Accredited journalists can attend Ministers’ doorsteps and the press conferences of the NATO Secretary General. These events will also be streamed live on the NATO website. National briefings will also take place at NATO Headquarters. Those are by invitation only. Please contact national delegations at NATO for details about their plans. POOLS A few elements of the Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers will be accessible only to a pool of visual journalists. Details on pooled events and distribution of pool cards will be available in the media programme, a few days before the event. If you accept a NATO pool position, you must share immediately all information and material collected while in the pool with any accredited media that requests it, at no charge and with no restriction on the use of the material for news purposes. Media organisations that want pooled images should first contact the wire service / photo agency of which they are a client. Media representatives and news organisations must identify that it is pooled material every time it is used. Pooled material can only be used for legitimate news purposes and cannot be sold. BROADCAST NATO will provide broadcast-quality video in real time on EBU World feed or to EBU News Exchange. NATO photographers and videographers will provide video clips and photos of all public events during the ministerial meeting. Photos can be downloaded from the NATO website. The video files will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal. The Secretary General's press conference and public remarks will be streamed live on the NATO website. MEDIA FACILITIES A press working area will be set up on the first floor of the Public Square at NATO HQ. Working spaces cannot be booked in advance and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Television and radio editing spaces will be available upon request by email to the NATO TV & Radio Unit (see contact details below). PARKING Media representatives can park in the Visitors' car park of the NATO HQ. Uplink vans can park in a special section of the car park upon request to the NATO TV & Radio Unit.   For more information: For general queries: Contact the NATO Press Office Accreditation NatoAccreditations@hq.nato.int TV & Radio arrangements on site and via satellite Vandendorpe.Bart@hq.nato.int NATO Video on demand content@natomultimedia.tv