NATO - An Essential Source of Stability in an Unpredictable World
Brussels, 12-13 December – Participants of the NATO Defense College (NDC) Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors Course 2011, visited NATO Headquarters for two days of discussions. Representing 23 NATO Allies and Partner nations, their discussion sessions addressed enhancing mutual understanding of security concerns, and NATO's interests and capabilities, from both political and military perspectives.
The yearly NDC Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors Course brings together high-ranking civilians and military from NATO and NATO partner countries (Partnership for Peace (PfP), Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), Partners Across the Globe & Iraq). The main theme of this year’s course is “NATO - An Essential Source of Stability in an Unpredictable World”.
Welcoming the participants, Lt.Gen Bornemann, Director General of the International Military Staff, emphasized the impact of the immense economic and budget challenges on NATO’s operations. NATO-led operations and missions require the timely development, delivery, and deployment of modern and often costly capabilities.
“Since an increase in defence budgets in the near or medium term is unrealistic for all of us, we need to focus on the real priorities, cooperate and coordinate better; and when we combine our efforts, and when we share our capabilities, then we can really learn to do more with less. Smart Defence is an answer to this point of issue!”