NATO Chiefs of Defence discuss future Alliance adaptation
On 22 May 2019, the twenty-nine Allied Chiefs of Defence and invitee North Macedonia met in Brussels, Belgium for the 181st Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session.
Ahead of the Meeting of Defence Ministers in June, the Chiefs of Defence came together to discuss NATO’s new Military Strategy, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR)’s Area of Responsibility and the development of the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture. The Chiefs of Defence began their day by meeting with NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, where discussions focused on the key strategic issues facing the Alliance.
The Allied Chiefs of Defence then signed the new Military Strategy. The signature marks an important step in adapting the Alliance for the increasingly complex security challenges that NATO faces.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach stated:
“The strategy will guide Allied military decision making and provide NATO’s Military Authorities with a definitive policy reference, enabling us to deliver our core mission – defending almost 1 billion people.”
For the session on SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility, the Military Committee invited the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, General Graziano to join them. The Chiefs of Defence emphasised the EU’s efforts on military mobility and NATO’s work to enable SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility are mutually reinforcing.
The Chiefs of Defence received a detailed briefing on the current security situation in and around Ukraine, and the ongoing challenges emanating from the Black Sea region.
Talking with their Mediterranean Dialogue Partners, discussions focused on capacity building in the Middle East and North Africa region, increased interoperability and marking twenty-five years of the Dialogue.
