Secretary General on the Meeting of Ministers of Defense of NATO member countries
On the 9th of February, 2016, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg informed the press on the subjects of the Meeting this week. On Wednesday and Thursday, the ministers will take further steps to strengthen the Alliance’s collective defense and deterrence.
“Efficient deterrence and defense requires the presence of both anticipated allied forces and our ability to rapidly consolidate them”, stated Stoltenberg. The ministers are expected to agree on a better presence of the Alliance’s force in the East part. The defense ministers will also make a decision to enhance NATO’s response on hybrid attacks and will quicken the decision-making process.
The Secretary General outlined that NATO “will develop ways to enhance our strength and the resistance of our allies, because our military forces depend on civil resources such as food, water supplies, communication and transportation.
Jens Stoltenberg also highlighted NATO’s commitment to help Georgia move towards membership in the Alliance. At a meeting of NATO-Georgia Committee, ministers will review the progress corresponding to NATO’s substantial package of support given to Georgia and will discuss how to intensify the support from the Alliance. They will discuss political reforms and domestic security policies in Georgia that leads the country closer to NATO.
The Secretary General further called on NATO’ support in finding a political solution to the conflict in Syria.
“All NATO allies are part of the coalition against ISIL. I expect NATO to offer them support”, stated Stoltenberg. The Secretary General noted also that the allies actively take into account the request of US on the surveillance plan NATO AWACS to meet national capacities, and the ministers are expected to submit this issue to the Ministry. “This could enhance the coalition’s ability to perform airstrikes against ISIL”, stated the General Secretary. He also outlined that NATO “firmly supports all the efforts to end the suffering, to reach a ceasefire and to initiate a political transition in Syria”.