NATO update

 

NATO Secretary General meets the Prime Minister of Albania On Wednesday 17 September, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Mark Rutte, met with the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr Edi Rama, at NATO Headquarters, in Brussels. Click here to download the remarks by the NATO Secretary General and the Prime Minister of Albania. The transcript and photos are available on the NATO website. Sabotage at sea: How NATO protects critical undersea infrastructure Critical undersea infrastructure – such as pipelines, power cables and data lines – forms the backbone of modern life, carrying essential energy supplies, enabling financial transactions and transmitting over 95 per cent of global internet traffic. In recent years, suspected sabotage and unexplained damage have exposed the vulnerability of these vital systems, raising serious security concerns. In response, NATO has stepped up surveillance with enhanced air and naval patrols– especially in regions like the North and Baltic Seas. NATO has also strengthened information-sharing among NATO Allies and partnered with the private sector to develop new technologies for detecting and deterring undersea threats. All these efforts are coordinated by a specialised cell based at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. In addition, a new centre for the security of critical undersea infrastructure has been established within the NATO maritime command in Northwood, United Kingdom, whose task is to coordinate operations and deploy forces to secure such important infrastructure. Click here to download the video. You can also watch the video on YouTube. 12 September 2025 Update NATO launches “Eastern Sentry” to bolster posture along eastern flank On 12 September 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus G. Grynkewich held a joint press conference to outline NATO’s response to the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones two days earlier. Mr Rutte announced the launch of “Eastern Sentry,” a military activity aimed to bolster NATO’s posture along the eastern flank. Read more Statement by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones Last night, numerous drones from Russia violated Polish airspace. Our air defences were activated and successfully ensured the defence of NATO territory, as they are designed to do. Several Allies were involved alongside Poland. This included Polish F16s, Dutch F35s, Italian AWACS, NATO Multi Role Tanker Transport, and German Patriots. I commend the pilots and all who contributed to this quick and skillful response. Read more NATO Secretary General meets UK Prime Minister and attends Ukraine Defence Contact Group in London On 9 September 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited London, where he participated in a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) to discuss continued support for Ukraine and met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street. Read more NATO Secretary General welcomes Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani of Iraq to NATO Headquarters on 8 September 2025, together with Iraq’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein. They took stock of the evolving NATO-Iraq partnership, notably within the frameworks of NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) and the NATO High Level Dialogue for Partnership. They exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, including in relation to the latest developments across the Middle East and North Africa. Read more NATO’s emergency management exercise “BULGARIA 2025”: Allies and partners trained to work better together in case of crisis From 7 to 12 September 2025, the civilian-led exercise “BULGARIA 2025”, co-organised by NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) and the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior, took place in Montana, Bulgaria. Read more NATO Deputy Secretary General thanks Bulgaria for its contributions to the Alliance and for hosting exercise “BULGARIA 2025” NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska visited Bulgaria on 7 and 8 September 2025. During bilateral meetings with President Radev, Prime Minister Jeliazkov, Defence Minister Zaprianov and Interior Minister Mitov, Ms Shekerinska discussed NATO’s priorities, as Allies implement decisions taken at the Summit in The Hague. She welcomed Bulgaria’s commitment to spending 2 percent of GDP on defence this year, with the aim of reaching 5 percent of GDP by 2035 Read more Colombia War College visits NATO Headquarters The Colombia War College met with the NATO International Military Staff during their annual visit to NATO Headquarters on 11 September. The visiting group was briefed on the ongoing practical initiatives that NATO and Colombia are undertaking to continue increasing security ties. Read more Chair of the NATO Military Committee participates in the Seoul Defense Dialogue On 8-9 September, the Chair of the Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, visited the Republic of Korea and participated as a keynote speaker at the Seoul Defense Dialogue. During the visit the Chair met with political and military leaders of NATO’s Indo-Pacific partner. Read more Chair of the NATO Military Committee meets Japan authorities in Tokyo Chair of the Military Committee Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone paid an official visit to Japan on 5-6 September, at the invitation of General Hiroaki Uchikura, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. In Tokyo, the Chair met the nation’s military and political leadership, underscoring the importance of the growing military cooperation between NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners. Read more NATO HQ, Blvd Leopold III 1110 Brussels, Belgium 16 September 2025 NATO Secretary General meets the Prime Minister of Albania On Wednesday, 17 September 2025, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Mark Rutte, will receive the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr Edi Rama, at NATO Headquarters, in Brussels. Media advisory 09:00 (CEST) Remarks by the Secretary General and the Prime Minister of Albania Media coverage Media representatives who have annual accreditation to NATO can attend the event in person. The media wishing to cover the event should be in front of the Press Shop in NATO HQ at 08:30. The press statements will be streamed live on the NATO website and on X @NATOPress. A transcript of the Secretary General’s remarks, as well as photographs, will be on the NATO website. Video can be downloaded from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event.   For more information: For general queries: Contact the NATO Press Office