Bi-annual Familiarization Programme demonstrates NATO’s strong commitment and desire to working more closely with Partners
Brussels, NATO Headquarters, 7 to 11 May 2025 – 29 representatives from 19 partner nations participated in the 26th iteration of the NATO Partner Staff Officers' Familiarization Programme. The eight-day event, jointly organized by IMS Cooperative Security (CS) Division and SHAPE’s Partnership Directorate, introduced participants to NATO’s structure and opportunities for cooperation.
The Head of Cooperation Policy and Programmes Branch, Colonel (IT AR) Michele Melchionna, opened the programme by stating: “Your presence here is a testament to our shared commitment to collective security and the common values that unite us.” He also emphasized that “Our partnerships remain indispensable in confronting the complex and evolving challenges of the contemporary security environment.”
On the first day, participants were briefed on programmes and tools such as the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme and ePrime. The following day, a thorough discussion was held on how NATO supports partner nations in the area of defence education, including tools and resources for delivering capacity building, and how to build integrity and governance. The day concluded with exchanges on NATO’s approach to climate change and its role in counter terrorism.
Finally, on the third day, participants visited various Partner Mission premises and gained valuable insights into the practical aspects of military and defence cooperation with NATO from the partner’s perspective. To conclude the meeting, participants benefited from a discussion on NATO’s partnership with the European Union, and programme policy updates on the Partnership Staff Posts (PSP).
CS Director Major General (ROU AR) Dacian-Tiberiu Șerban officially closed the first portion of the Familiarization Programme at the NATO HQ, by recalling that “We, too, have learned a great deal from your contributions, the open discussions, and the exchange of ideas. Your participation has been truly enriching, and we are grateful for the perspectives you have shared.”
To note, throughout the programme, NATO gave insights into its Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, the Alliance’s principal civil emergency response mechanism for supporting Allies and partners with response and preparedness for natural and human-made disasters and other emergencies.
Following the NATO Headquarters portion, all participants travelled to Mons, where SHAPE’s Partnership Directorate Military Cooperation Division continued the programme, allowing partners the opportunity to engage in more detailed exchanges of the different facets of NATO-partner military and defence cooperation.