178th Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session - NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

The first session will focus on Europe’s southern neighbourhood. It will include a situational awareness briefing on the Middle East and North Africa region taking into consideration the wider global context. This session will pave the way for further discussions on Projecting Stability Initiatives, Fight against Terrorism, the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the ongoing NATO Training and Capacity Building in Iraq.

In Resolute Support format, the Chiefs of Defence will receive political, strategic and operational situation briefs from Commander of the Resolute Support Mission, General Nicholson, and the NATO Senior Civilian Representative Ambassador Zimmermann respectively, and provide further recommendations for 2018 and beyond.

In their afternoon session, the Allied Chiefs of Defence will receive briefings from General Scaparrotti, SACEUR and General Mercier, SACT on the recommended options for the NATO Command Structure Adaptation and possible implementation process.

The following morning’s sessions with partners will begin with Ukraine. The session will provide an opportunity for an update on the security situation in and around Ukraine and assess the progress of the security and defence sector reforms. The session with Georgia will focus on continued defence reform progress and the way ahead for the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package.

The final session will focus on Allied coherence. The discussions are expected to reflect upon the Alliance’s adaptation - politically, militarily and institutionally, and review the way forward with a special emphasis on military priorities.

The Chiefs of Defence’s advice and guidance will assist and further frame discussions ahead the February Defence Ministerial in 2018.

General Petr Pavel will be supported in each session by General Curtis Scaparrotti (Supreme Allied Commander Europe, SACEUR) and General Denis Mercier (Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, SACT). 

The Military Committee meets twice a year at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, at the level of Chiefs of Defence to discuss NATO operations and missions and provide the North Atlantic Council with consensus-based military advice on how the Alliance can best meet global security challenges. Once a year, they meet in an Allied member country.  On a day-to-day basis, their work is carried out by Permanent Military Representatives at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

Media Opportunities

Tuesday 16 January 2018

07:35-07:50               Media Pool pick up in the NATO Press Area

08:00-08:10               178^th Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session – Opening remarks by General Petr Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee

Wednesday 17 January 2018

13:30-14:00               Joint Press Conference in the Luns Theatre with General Petr Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee (CMC), General Curtis Scaparrotti, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) and General Denis Mercier, Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation (SACT)

Imagery

Photos and video of all opening sessions will be available online at www.nato.int/ims shortly after each meeting.  The Opening Remarks and Joint Press Conference will be made available on the NATO website after the event. Broadcasters can also request the broadcast quality footage by contacting content@natochannel.tv.

The Opening Remarks and the Joint Press Conference will be livestreamed via the NATO website.

Media background briefings

The Public Affairs and Strategic Communication Advisor’s Office (PASCAD) of the NATO International Military Staff (IMS) will organise two background briefings for media on “The Current NATO Command Structure” and “An Update on the Current NATO Operations, Missions and Activities” in Luns Room (NATO HQ) from 13.00 on Wednesday 17 January 2018.

Briefings will be given by Senior Military Officials from the IMS, SHAPE and ACT and will consist of a presentation and Q&A session.

This briefings are open to journalists. However they are NOT open to television cameras or still photographers.

11:00-11:45   Background Briefing on “Current NATO Command Structure” (Luns Room)

11:45-12:45  Background Briefing on “Current NATO Operations, Missions and Activities” (Luns Room)

Accreditation

Media representatives holding a valid 2017 or 2018 NATO Media pass will have access as usual to the NATO HQ. Media representatives not in possession of a NATO Media pass and wishing to attend the media opportunities available are invited to contact the NATO IMS Public Affairs Office via email or fax  ( ronaynecasimiro.lara@hq.nato.int, fax number + 32 2 707 5713) with a completed accreditation form no later than 1200 on 12 Jan 2018.

Media passes will not be mailed to applicants; they must be collected in person upon presentation of an ID card or passport and a valid national press pass (or accreditation letter from a recognized media organization). Media representatives will be given their accreditation at the Main Entrance of NATO Headquarters. Passes must be worn visibly at all times, and security personnel may ask to see another form of ID at any time. Media representatives are informed that security personnel will examine and may test equipment and personal effects carried onto the site and are advised to arrive with sufficient lead time to clear security checks.

Enquiries

Points of contact for the Chairman of the Military Committee:

Dr Eva Svobodova, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Advisor to the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and NATO International Military Staff.

Tel: + 32 2 707 59 83

E-Mail: svobodova.eva@hq.nato.int

General press arrangements: 

 Ms. Lara Ronayne Casimiro, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Assistant.
Tel: +32 2 707 54 23

E-mail: ronaynecasimiro.lara@hq.nato.int