A Taste of Chicago Comes to NATO

  • 22 Mar. 2012 -
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  • Last updated: 22 Mar. 2012 15:01

On 20 and 21 May 2012, Chicago will host the NATO Summit. During the Summit, more than 50 Heads of State and Government will come together to deliver on decisions taken at the Lisbon Summit in November 2010, driving forward key Alliance policies and reaffirming the transatlantic link.

“In Chicago we will deliver an Alliance which is committed to transatlantic solidarity and cooperation, capable of dealing with the security challenges of the future and connected to our partner nations and the rest of the international community,” said Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

In the run-up to the Summit, and as an initiative from the Summit host nation and the host city, the United States Mission to NATO, the Chicago NATO Host Committee and the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau staged an inspiring multimedia exhibition on the city of Chicago at NATO Headquarters. Under the theme “For every taste, there is one Chicago,” the exhibition brings a taste of Chicago to Brussels.

During the exhibition opening on 22 March, Mr. Fogh Rasmussen highlighted the similarities between Chicago and the Alliance itself. “Like Chicago, NATO brings together many cultures. It is built upon diversity and determination,” he said.

With jazz music provided by the SHAPE band, attendees of the exhibit gained more insight into history, cultural and local culinary fare of America’s Windy City. “This exhibit showcases the world class diversity of Chicago,” said the United States Ambassador to NATO, Ivo Daalder. “While Chicago is here today, in two months NATO will be in Chicago.”

The First Lady of Chicago, Ms. Amy Rule expressed pride in the Windy City. “It’s such an honour for the city of Chicago to host the NATO Summit,” she said. Drawing on the warmth of locals, Illinois State Governor Patrick Quinn looked forward to giving NATO a warm Chicago welcome. “We have a warm hospitality to all those who visit and we want to express that hospitality to our friends at NATO,” he said.

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