7 April 2003

NATO’s civil-military cooperation capability enhanced On 7 April six NATO countries signed an agreement formally establishing Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Group North, which will provide the Alliance with an essential civil-military cooperation capability. The memorandum signed by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland is the end result of a three-year project to establish a body that can provide NATO commanders with a co-ordinated approach to civil-military cooperation. Close co-operation between civilian and military bodies is a key component of today’s crisis management operations as well as post-conflict rehabilitation. CIMIC personnel provide both NATO and civilian institutions with the necessary expertise to create the conditions needed to bridge the civilian-military gap and enable local authorities to re-establish a social fabric and restore normal living conditions for their people. Additional information: Full story: Six NATO nations sign Memorandum of Understanding for CIMIC Group North, 7 April 2003 Update: Civil-military cooperation taken to a new level, 15 January 2003 Background: Civil-military cooperation Web site: International Military Staff