High-level military consultations at NATO

Top military officials from 54 countries gathered at NATO HQ on 15 and 16 November to discuss taking forward military transformation and enhancing interoperability within NATO, and with partner countries.

The thrice-yearly meetings of the NATO Military Committee at the level of Chiefs of Defence Staff – together with their counterparts from Russia, Ukraine, and Mediterranean Dialogue countries - provide a forum for intensive discussions that form the basis of NATO’s military advice to the Alliance ’s civilian decision-making bodies.

The NATO Chiefs of Defence focused on the long-term approach towards the NATO Response Force, reform initiatives that are key to NATO’s military transformation, and were briefed on the status of NATO’s operations.

NATO-Ukraine and NATO-Russia work plans for military cooperation in 2006 were also approved.

Finally, they took note that their military advice regarding the expansion of NATO’s mission in Afghanistan to the South of the country would shortly be forwarded to the North Atlantic Council for consideration.

“Based on the progress in the last several months on some key items, NATO continues to demonstrate its ability to evolve and transform to meet the new security challenges,” General Ray Henault, the Chairman of the Military Committee, told reporters.