New multinational engineering unit formed

  • 07 Nov. 2007 - 07 Nov. 2007
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  • Last updated: 20 Aug. 2008 13:54

A ceremony to mark the formation of a deployable multinational engineering unit was held NATO HQ in conjunction with the meeting of the Senior NATO Logisticians Conference (SNLC) on 7 November 2007.

(From left to right) Lt. Col. Mamuka Tskhvediani, Chief J4 of the Joint Staff of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia, Brig. Gen. Boyko Milanov Rabadzhiyski, Chief J4 of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria, Maj. Gen. Petru Bejinariu, Chief J4 of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defence of Romania and Brig. Gen. Mate Ostovic, Chief J4 of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia

Led by Romania, the unit also includes contributions from Bulgaria, Croatia and Georgia.  

The Romanian-led multinational engineering unit is only the second of its kind in the Alliance, as it follows in the footsteps of the Canadian-led multinational movements staff established in 2005.  Work continues to enable these units to be employed in NATO operations and exercises, including for the NATO Response Force. 

In his remarks, the Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning Jirí Šedivý, stressed that the creation of this engineering unit supports the overall goal of NATO to promote innovation in multinational cooperation.  As important as the additional capability for the Alliance in an area of need, is the experience gained in forming the multinational unit itself.