NATO-led forces assist flood victims in Afghanistan

ISAF soldiers continue to assist Afghan national security forces and the government of Afghanistan in providing assistance to victims of flooding in the Panjshir and Parwan provinces.

NATO Secretary General visits Kosovo

The NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, visited Kosovo on Friday, 29 June 2007. During the visit, he met in Pristina with the members of the Unity Team: President Fatmir Sejdiu, Prime Minister Agim Ceku, the Speaker of Parliament Mr. Koli Berisha and Mr. Hashim Thaci.

Ohrid forum discusses way ahead for Afghanistan, Balkans and energy security

The need for a comprehensive approach to Afghanistan, a framework for energy security and the importance of integrating the Balkans into Euro-Atlantic structures was the focus of a special meeting in Ohrid, 28-29 June.

Visit to NATO by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Vuk Jeremić

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Vuk Jeremić visited NATO headquarters on Wednesday 27 June. He met with NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

Journalists from the United Arab Emirates visit NATO HQ

On 27 June, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division organised, in the context of the public diplomacy activities for the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, a visit to NATO Headquarters of journalists from the United Arab Emirates, who also had a joint interview with NATO Secretary General, H.E. Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

Mehtar Lam team trains Afghan police

For almost four months, a dedicated team at the Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team has been helping Afghan National Police (ANP) and Afghan National Auxiliary Police (ANAP) developd their law enforcement skills.

Afghan children learn about dangers of mines

Thanks to a NATO-led programme, Operation White Butterfly, more than 6,000 Afghan school children from over 16 schools have learnt about the dangers of mines and how to keep themselves safe.

The National Defense College of Israel visits NATO HQ

On 26 June, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division organised, in the framework of the public diplomacy activities for the Mediterranean Dialogue, a visit to NATO Headquarters of representatives from the National Defense College of Israel.

NATO and Russia reaffirm relations at anniversary

Russian President Putin said NATO-Russia relations have “transferred from the period of confrontation to a period of cooperation”, following a special meeting in Moscow to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the NATO-Russia Council, 26 June.

NATO-Russia commemoration begins in St. Petersburg

A special NATO-Russia seminar in St. Petersburg, 25 June, kicked off a two-day commemoration of the five-year anniversary of the NATO-Russia Council and the ten-year anniversary of the NATO-Russia partnership.

Bahrain holds staff talks with NATO

On 21-22 June 2007 staff talks were held between NATO and the Kingdom of Bahrain. These were the first ever staff talks held between NATO and a country from the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.

NATO official visits China

The NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Ambassador Martin Erdmann, visited Beijing from 19 to 22 June.

Afghan officials visit NATO HQ and capitals

A group of representatives from the Afghan Lower House, Upper House, and Provincial Councils paid a visit to NATO HQ and select NATO capitals from 18 to 22 June 2007.

NATO Secretary General visits Canada

The Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, travelled to Canada on 21 and 22 June 2007. He met with the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Stephen Harper, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Peter MacKay and the Minister of Defence, Mr. Gordon O’Connor.

NATO envoy visits Armenia

NATO's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Robert Simmons, visited Armenia from 20 to 22 June for high-level talks.

Allies agree on strategic airlift initiative

NATO Allies agreed today to set up a new NATO agency to acquire and manage C-17 strategic transport aircraft on behalf of a group of 15 NATO nations and two Partnership for Peace countries. 

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Explosives removal project in Azerbaijan to be extended

A joint NATO PfP Trust Fund project to clear deadly post-Soviet unexploded ordnance in Azerbaijan is to be extended for another 16 months in order to tackle areas that are heavily contaminated.

NATO-Ukraine Annual Target Plan published

28 June - Ukraine’s Annual Target Plan for 2007 has just been published. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko signed it on 18 June 2007, following approval by the NATO-Ukraine Commission and the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers.

Command and Control centre of excellence to be established

On 18 June, seven NATO countries and the Head of NATO’s Transformation Command signed an agreement for the establishment of a centre of excellence for the command and control of multinational forces in The Netherlands.

NATO Public Diplomacy Conference in Tunisia

On 18 June 2007, the Deputy Secretary General of NATO H.E. Ambassador Alessandro Minuto Rizzo and the Minister of Defence of Tunisia H.E. Mr. Kamel Morjane opened a two-day conference on: “NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue".

Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) Exhibition at NATO HQ

The NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer opened the Technisches Hilfswerk Exhibition at NATO headquarters on Monday 18 June.

Visit to NATO by the President of Moldova

The President of Moldova, Mr. Vladimir Voronin, visited NATO Headquarters on Monday 18th June 2007 and met with the Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

25 years of NATO’s “eyes in the sky”

Some 100 000 visitors attended the 25th anniversary celebration of one of NATO’s most succesful multinational projects, its fleet of special radar aircraft, known as AWACS.

NATO reaffirms commitment to Afghanistan

Defence Ministers from 26 NATO countries and the 11 non-NATO countries supporting NATO’s mission in Afghanistan reaffirmed their determination to stay the course in Afghanistan at a meeting in Brussels, 15 June.

Alliance calls for ‘speedy’ Kosovo resolution

Meeting in Brussels, 15 June, NATO Defence Ministers reiterated their call for a United Nations Security Council Resolution on Kosovo as soon as possible, along the proposals put forward by UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari.

NATO to support Iraqi with gendarmerie training

At the request of the Iraqi authorities, NATO will extend its training assistance to Iraq to include gendarmerie-type training of the national police, beginning in September.

NATO agrees to support AU Somalia mission

On 7 June, NATO agreed, in principle, to respond positively to the request of the African Union Commission, dated 22 May 2007, to provide strategic airlift for AU states who are willing to deploy in Somalia under the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

CFE Extraordinary Conference concludes

© OSCE

Today the Extraordinary Conference of States Parties to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) requested by the Russian Federation concluded. This conference took place in Vienna from 11 - 15 June 2007.

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New Russian Minister looks to cooperation with NATO

A meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels, 14 June, provided an opportunity for NATO Ministers to hold their first formal discussions with the new Russian Defence Minister, Anatoly Serdyukov.

NATO agrees on missile defence way forward

NATO’s 26 countries agreed to assess by February 2008 the political and military implications for the Alliance of the US missile defence system.

NATO to strengthen protection against cyber attacks

Concerns over recent cyber attacks against NATO member Estonia led to calls from NATO Defense Ministers on 14 June to boost efforts to protect information systems of critical importance to NATO against future attacks.

NATO welcomes Ukraine progress

Following a meeting of NATO-Ukraine Defence Ministers, 14 June, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the Alliance welcomed agreement in Ukraine on the date of the upcoming elections.

Threat of man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS)

A two-day workshop at NATO HQ, 12-13 June, raised awareness of the threat posed by MANPADS, or shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, to NATO troops in the field.

Visit to NATO of Command and Chief of Staff School from the United Arab Emirates

On 12 June, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division organised a visit to NATO Headquarters of the Royal Command and Chief of Staff School in the United Arab Emirates, in the framework of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI).

NATO Secretary General visits Turkey

The recent terrorist attacks in Turkey, the need to move forward on the status of Kosovo and NATO-EU relations were the main focus of the NATO Secretary General’s visit to Ankara, 12 June.

NATO responds to Council of Europe report

NATO rejects the allegations made by Mr. Dick Marty that there was some kind of “NATO framework” associated with purported CIA activities in Europe. There has, quite simply, never been a secret agreement along the lines described by Mr. Dick Marty in this report to the Council of Europe.

NATO forces bring water to Afghan district

Forces from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Herat have recently completed a nine-kilometer water pipeline in Ingil district, ensuring local Afghans have access to fresh water.

Statement by the Secretary General on terrorism in Turkey

I note with concern the series of terrorist attacks that have taken place in Turkey in the last few weeks and again last night in the east of the country.

The Minister of Defence of the United Kingdom visits NATO

The Defence Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. Des Browne, visited NATO Headquarters on Friday 8 June 2007. He met with the Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

NATO troops help save crops in southern Afghanistan

NATO forces conducting operations in southern Afghanistan have helped to secure the livelihood of some 5000 families by constructing irrigation ditches to prevent crop drought.

The President of the International Red Cross visits NATO

The President of the International Red Cross, Jacob Kellenberger visited NATO headquarters on Wednesday 6 June. He met with NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and addressed the meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.

Polish President discusses Afghanistan, energy security and missile defence at NATO

The President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, visited NATO Headquarters on 6 June for talks with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

NATO praise for Croatia’s reforms

The Prime Minister of Croatia, Ivo Sanader, visited NATO Headquarters on 6 June for a meeting with the North Atlantic Council, the Alliance’s principal decision-making body.

Emirates participate in NATO education conference

NATO and Partner countries discussed joint standard for training headquarters staff for multinational operations during a conference in Virginia, United States, 5-7 June, with the United Arab Emirates attending in the framework of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.

NATO-Bahrain public diplomacy conference

On 5 and 6 June 2007, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division and the Ministry of Information of the Kingdom of Bahrain co-organized a conference on “Media in a Changing World: Perspectives from GCC and NATO”, taking place in Manama, the capital of the Kingdom.