Turkey provides support to Afghan National Army

Turkey has donated 24 howitzers to the developing Afghan National Army (ANA) in the framework of a NATO agreement. SHAPE received the official Turkish offer on 19 April, and Afghan authorities accepted to transfer of 24, 155 mm howitzers, 2200 rounds of ammunition, cartridge gunpowder, fuses and some support equipment as well as spare parts. A Russian company delivered the shipment by AN-124 aircraft thanks to US funding.

Ukrainian and Allied foreign ministers meet informally

The recently appointed Ukrainian foreign minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, attended his first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission in Oslo, Norway, on 27 April. The informal meeting provided an opportunity for Minister Yatsenyuk to brief his Allied counterparts on the political situation in Ukraine and for ministers to exchange views on key areas of cooperation.

Bucharest to host 2008 NATO Summit

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has formally announced that the capital of Romania, Bucharest, will host the 2008 Summit meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government.

Intense training at NATO-supported Iraqi academy

On 26 April, some 270 Iraqi officer cadets took part in intense counterinsurgency training at the NATO-supported Iraq Military Academy, culminating in a 48-hour exercise, Broadsword.

NATO-Russia Ministers hold intensive discussions

Practical NATO-Russia cooperation, missile defence, and the CFE treaty were the three main issues discussed by Foreign Ministers at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Oslo, 26 April.

Afghanistan, missile defence top Oslo agenda

NATO Foreign Ministers reiterated their belief that US missile defence plans do not upset the strategic balance in Europe and expressed optimism on the progress in Afghanistan.

Montenegro signs PfP Security Agreement

The Minister of Defence of Montenegro, Mr. Boro Vucinic, today met with NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Minuto-Rizzo, to sign the Partnership for Peace (PfP) Security Agreement and to hand over the Montenegrin PfP Presentation Document.

NATO-Jordan Memorandum of Understanding

On 25 April the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) signed with the Jordanian Government a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a ceremony at NATO Headquarters hosted by the NATO Deputy Secretary General, with the participation of Brigadier General Khaled Obeidat of the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) and Mr. Karl-Heinz Münzner, the NAMSA General Manager.

Conference examines role of private sector, media in “comprehensive approach” to security

The growing interdependencies between international security and defence, media and technology was the focus of the Defence Leaders Forum jointly hosted by NATO, Microsoft and the BBC in Noordwijk aan Zee, the Netherlands, on 23 April.

NATO-supported projects connect Afghans, give market access

Some 50 projects supported by NATO-led troops in Herat province improve prospects for local villages by making it easier for them to bring goods to market and giving access to training and medical assistance.

Statement by the Secretary General on Boris Yeltsin

I was saddened to learn of the death of Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin, First President of the Russian Federation. President Yeltsin will be remembered for his courage in charting a new, democratic course for his country.

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NATO united on missile defence approach

Following high-level consultations, NATO member countries agreed that the territory of all member countries must be protected from missile threats, calling for “indivisible security”.

Major seminars looks at challenges of WMD proliferation

More than 120 senior officials representing 43 countries from five continents, as well as a number of international organizations and academic institutions, met in Vilnius, Lithuania, to discuss the challenges of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) on 18 and 19 April 2007.

North Atlantic Council visit to Afghanistan

The North Atlantic Council, NATO’s highest level decision-making body, visited Afghanistan from 16 to 18 April 2007. The Alliance’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General John Craddock, and the Chairman of the Military Committee, General Ray Henault, accompanied the Council.

World’s largest submarine exercise

© PNZ

Ten NATO countries will provide 8 submarines, 11 aircraft and 8 surface ships to take part in Noble Manta 07, the world’s largest anti-submarine warfare exercise, to be held in the Mediterranean, 12 to 22 April 2007.

Statement by the Secretary General on the attacks in Algeria

On behalf of NATO, I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks that have taken place in Algiers.  I wish to extend by sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the Algerian Government and the Algerian people and in particular to the families of the victims.

Australia increases ISAF commitment

On the 10th of April Australia pledged to significantly increase its military contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The decision was well received by the Allies. The increase clearly illustrates the enduring Australian commitment to the security, prosperity and democratic development of Afghanistan.

Invitation to participate in NATO publication survey

NATO's Public Diplomacy Division publishes a range of Web-based, print and multimedia publications aimed at informing the general public about NATO.

Visit to NATO by the Minister of Defence of Armenia

The Minister of Defence of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan visited NATO headquarters on Wednesday 4 April to meet for talks with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

More donations for Iraqi forces

At a ceremony on 3 April, NATO’s Training Mission Iraq handed over mine clearance vehicles and a large quantity of ammunition worth some 1.75 million euros to the Iraqi forces.

NATO decision-makers visit Kosovo

On 2 April, the North Atlantic Council, led by the Secretary General, toured Kosovo. Their visit was a demonstration of the firm commitment of all NATO Allies to continue to ensure a safe and secure environment as proposals for Kosovo’s status made by UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari are being discussed in the UN Security Council.