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Updated: 31-Mar-2004 February 2004

1 Feb 2004
Appointment of NATO Spokesman
The Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. James Appathurai (35) as Spokesman for NATO. This appointment will become effective on 1st February 2004.
1 Feb 2004
Defence reform in Ukraine
At the request of the Ukrainian authorities, a NATO team visited Kyiv on 1-6 February 2004 to take stock of the progress achieved by the Ministry of Defence in conducting a comprehensive defence review and to assess in which areas NATO could assist Ukraine in implementing defence and security sector reform.
4 & 5-7 Feb 2004
Secretary General visits France and Germany

During visits to Berlin and Paris NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer called for renewed transatlantic cooperation, saying this was the most effective means of tackling today’s security threats.

6 Feb 2004
Defence Ministers discuss operations, capabilities at Munich meeting
NATO Defence Ministers met in Munich on 6 February for informal talks on the Alliance’s operations and transformation, including the expansion of NATO’s mission in Afghanistan.
9 Feb 2004
Change of command in Afghanistan

On 9 February, Canadian Lt Gen Rick Hillier assumed command of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan from German Lt Gen Götz F.E. Gliemeroth in a ceremony held in Kabul.

9 Feb 2004
Moscow Winter Academy examines NATO’s transformation
On 9 February, students from Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the United States gathered in Moscow for the beginning of a major conference on security issues and to interact with leading diplomats, NATO officials and academics.
10-12 Feb 2004
Forum on Business and Security
The Science of Protection
A meeting on Business and Security will take place in Berlin from 10-12 February 2004, sponsored by the business community, which will provide an opportunity for an examination of current threats to security facing the global economy.
11 Feb 2004
One step closer to an enlarged NATO

All 19 NATO member countries have now ratified the accession protocols, which will permit seven new countries to become parties to the North Atlantic Treaty and members of NATO.

11 Feb 2004
Danish royal at NATO HQ
H.R.H., Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark came to NATO HQ on 11 Feburary for the first time.
11 Feb 2004
Visit of the President of Bulgaria to NATO Headquarters
The President of Bulgaria, Georgi Parvanov, discussed his country’s accession to NATO, its reform efforts and its contribution to Alliance operations with Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer at NATO on 11 February.
11-14 Feb 2004
Reserve officers hold 56th Midwinter conference
The Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) held its 56th mid winter conference at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, 11-14 February.
12 Feb 2004
Agreement on strategic sealift capability
On 12 February nine nations signed an agreement with the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) to provide NATO with strategic sealift capability for rapidly deployable forces.
12 Feb 2004
Afghanistan focus of Secretary General’s UK visit
Photo courtesy of Foreign and Commonwealth office - United Kingdom
NATO Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer welcomed the British government’s contribution to an expansion of NATO’s mission in Afghanistan during a visit to London on 12 February.
13 Feb 2004
NATO Secretary General visits Italy
Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer traveled to Rome on 13 February as part of his welcome tour of NATO countries and to discuss key issues on the Alliance’s agenda.
13 Feb 2004
Parliamentarians discuss future of NATO at annual meeting
Almost 150 parliamentarians from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Defence and Security; Economics and Security; and Political Committees met in Brussels on 13 February to discuss the future of NATO.
18 Feb 2004
Secretary General discusses Afghanistan, Iraq during Turkey visit
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer traveled to Ankara on 18 and 19 February for talks with the country’s leadership on key issues on NATO’s agenda.
19 Feb 2004
Exercise Dogfish 04
NATO's largest anti-submarine warfare exercise, Dogfish 04, is taking place in the Ionian sea from 19 February to 3 March.
19 Feb 2004
NATO ready to assist in Olympics security operation
The Alliance stands ready to assist in the security operation for the upcoming Athens Olympics said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer during his visit to Athens, 19 and 20 February.
19 Feb 2004
Operations in Bosnia target war criminals’ support network
On 19 February, the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina conducted search operations in Pale targeted at the support network of indicted war criminals.
23-25 Feb 2004
NATO AWACS to visit Latvia and Lithuania
A NATO E-3A surveillance aircraft and crew will visit the Republics of Latvia and Lithuania, 23-25 February 2004, as part of NATO’s Partnership for Peace Work Program.
26-29 Feb
& 1 Mar 2004
Secretary General calls for more contributions to Afghanistan mission
The expansion of NATO’s mission in Afghanistan and preparations for the Istanbul Summit topped the agenda during Mr. de Hoop Scheffer’s visits to Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg, 26 February to 1 March.