NATO Defence Ministers gather for two-day meeting in Brussels
NATO Defence Ministers arrived in Brussels for a two-day meeting at which the evolving situation in Libya will be at the top of the agenda. Ministers will consider how the Alliance can best prepare to add value to the efforts of the international community in dealing with the Libyan crisis in case there is a call for assistance.
Ministers will also review progress in implementing the decisions taken by NATO leaders at the Lisbon Summit in making the Alliance more effective and more efficient in dealing with emerging security challenges. On Thursday, Ministers will approve a new Cyber Defence Concept. They will review work on the development of NATO’s missile defence capability and on the Command Structure, Headquarters and NATO Agencies reform. Defence Ministers will also provide political guidance for the military implementation of the Strategic Concept including for the further development of essential capabilities. At a working dinner, they will discuss how to make best use of shrinking defence budgets by cooperating more on multinational projects.
On Friday, NATO Ministers of Defence will be joined by the Ministers from ISAF troop contributing nations and by Defence Minister Wardak of Afghanistan for a discussion on the recommendations of the Joint Afghan-NATO Transition Board about the first set of areas to be handed over to Afghan lead . Ministers of Defence expect that President Karzai will make a formal announcement in this regard on 21 March, marking the Afghan New Year. Defence Ministers will also discuss how to continue supporting Afghanistan as transition evolves through more training of Afghan security forces and through a long-term Partnership.