Information superiority key to success of operations

A high-level conference called for continued national and NATO investment in information and intelligence-sharing, noting that this had a direct impact on the Alliance’s ability to succeed in Afghanistan.

New Head of Military Liaison Mission in Moscow

Major General Laszlo Makk of the Hungarian Army assumed duties as the third Head of the Military Liaison Mission (MLM) in Moscow on 30 April.

NATO consultations with Georgia

Mr. David Bakradze, the Special Envoy of Georgia, visited NATO HQ today. Following a bilateral meeting with the Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Mr. Bakradze held discussions with the North Atlantic Council (NAC) as part of the intensive political dialogue established in the decisions of the recent NATO Bucharest summit.

ISAF forces launch operation in southern Afghanistan

On 28 April, ISAF Marines and the British forces of Task Force Helmand launched an operation aimed at enhancing security in a district of the southern Helmand province.

Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the Taliban attack in Kabul

On behalf of NATO, I condemn in the strongest terms the Taliban attack in Kabul this morning. The Taliban has demonstrated once again that they will use the most extreme violence to oppose Afghanistan's freedom and democratic development.

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NATO’s first multimedia exhibition moves to Brussels

NATO’s first ever multimedia display uses a mix of interactive, video, photographic and print media to provide a broad overview of the Alliance and its continuous transformation to adjust to new security challenges.

NATO conducts accession talks with Albania and Croatia

The two countries have now formally begun accession talks to join the Alliance, as they were invited to during the Bucharest Summit earlier this month. This is the first of five main steps on the road to full NATO membership.

Armament Directors advance key NATO capabilities initiatives

Armament Directors from the 26 NATO member countries moved forward on three key NATO capabilities initiatives: Alliance Ground Surveillance, Missile Defence and the Defence Against Terrorism Programme of Work at the biannual Conference of National Armament Directors (CNAD) held at NATO HQ on 24 April 2008.

NATO-Bahrain Public Diplomacy Conference in Manama

On 24 April 2008, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division and the Kingdom of Bahrain will co-organise an International Conference on "NATO-Bahrain Relations and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative", which will take place in Manama.

Improving intelligence oversight in Ukraine

The civil democratic control of intelligence and security services was the theme of three events which took place in Kyiv, Ukraine, from 21 to 23 April. A parliamentary workshop, an intelligence expert working group and a human rights conference brought together parliamentarians, government officials and experts from Ukraine and over 20 NATO countries as well as representatives of civil society and international non-governmental organizations.

ISAF teaches Afghan army to detect and foil improvised explosive devices

A new group of Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers have started specialized training on counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) operations in Herat, Western Afghanistan. The training provides ANA engineers with a general C-IED background and enables them to recognize and dispose of explosive devices.

ISAF explains arms air drop mistake

Over the past few days, numerous media reports erroneously stated that ISAF or Coalition Forces purposely supplied the Taliban with weapons and ammunition. These allegations are completely false.

NATO and Iraq: agenda for the future

On 17 April 2008, NATO HQ hosted a visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mr. Nouri Al-Maliki. He was accompanied by a high-level team of government members, including Foreign Minister, Mr. Hoshyar Zebari, Defence Minister, Mr. Abdul Qader Mohammad, Interior Minister, Mr. Jawad Kadhum Eedan and National Security Advisor, Mr. Muwafaq Baqer Kadhim.

Statement by the NATO Secretary General on Abkhazia and South Ossetia

I am deeply concerned by the actions Russia has taken to establish legal links with the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

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NATO reiterates support for UN co-ordinating role in Afghanistan

Ambassador Kai Eide, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan, visited NATO on 16 April 2008. He met with the NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, and addressed the North Atlantic Council and Partners contributing troops to the ISAF mission.

NATO Crisis Management Exercise CMX 2008 - 16 to 22 April 2008

NATO will conduct its annual Crisis Management Exercise (CMX) 16-22 April 2008. The exercise is designed to practice Alliance crisis management procedures at the strategic political level and will involve civilian and military staffs in national capitals, at NATO Headquarters, and in both Strategic Commands. Unlike a live exercise, however, no forces are actually deployed for the purpose of these exercises.

Exercise on CBRN Defence at NATO HQ

On 15 April 2008 the inaugural NATO and International Partners' Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defence Table-Top Exercise (TTX) took place at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

Counter-narcotics experts discuss NATO-Russia training project

Senior counter-narcotics experts gathered in Brussels on 14 and 15 April to review activities of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) project on counter-narcotics training of Afghan and Central Asian personnel.

ISAF breaks ground for Panjwayi road project

Afghan and ISAF officials together with Afghan workers marked the beginning of work on the road construction project in Panjwayi District in Afghanistan. The road being built by Afghans for Afghans will bring prosperity to residents for many years to come.

KFOR protects religious sites in Kosovo

The main task of KFOR is to support the development of a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo. This also includes the protection of enclaves which are partially inhabited by Kosovo-Serbs and Kosovo-Albanians. In addition to general patrol, KFOR troops also protect the Devic Monastery, which was raided and burnt down during the March 2004 riots.

Journalists from the Kingdom of Bahrain visit NATO HQ

On 10 April 2008, 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 Kingdom of Bahrain.

Fostering closer working relations

The NATO Standardization Agency (NSA) and the Allied Command Transformation (ACT) are forging ahead to take their already close relationship to a higher level.

NATO and Kazakhstan organize Second Partnership Week

On the occasion of a visit by Robert Simmons, the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Central Asia, a second NATO-Kazakhstan Partnership Week will be held in Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan from 7-11 April 2008

Delivering Maritime Security in Global Partnership

Today’s maritime security challenges have increasingly broad impacts throughout the world, and the need for a global partnership to deliver maritime security is likewise increasing.

Czech students take part in Model NATO

Over 450 Czech high-school students gathered for the Prague Student Summit, from 28 to 30 March, to take part in parallel Model NATO, Model EU and Model UN educational events.

NATO-Ukraine Commission discusses a new phase of relations

The NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) session opened the last day of the Bucharest Summit. At the fourth NUC Summit in history, Allied leaders met with President Viktor Yushchenko to discuss the current state of relations and chart the way forward in a distinctive partnership.

NATO-Russia Council meeting concludes the Bucharest Summit

The last event of NATO’s historic summit in Bucharest was a session of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) held at the level of the Heads of State and Government. For the second time since the establishment of the NRC at the Rome Summit in 2002, President Vladimir Putin met with his Allied counterparts.

NATO decisions on open-door policy

The Heads of State and Government of the NATO member countries met today to enlarge the Alliance and further strengthen their ability to confront the existing and emerging 21st century security threats.

ISAF nations affirm long-term commitment to Afghanistan

ISAF nations welcomed today’s meeting with Afghan President Karzai, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, EU Commission President Barroso and EU High Representative Solana, World Bank Managing Director Ms Okonjo-Iweala, and Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sasae.

Bucharest Summit takes NATO agenda forward

Allied leaders spent the first formal day of the Summit in Bucharest discussing key issues on NATO’s political and security agenda. A Summit Communiqué was issued at the end of this first day.

Malta re-engages in the Partnership for Peace Programme

At the Bucharest Summit, NATO Heads of State and Government welcomed Malta’s return to the Partnership for Peace Programme. At Malta's request, the Allies have re-activated Malta's participation in the Partnership for Peace Programme (PfP).

Allied leaders honour NATO troops

At the opening of the North Atlantic Council Summit meeting in Bucharest, NATO Heads of State and Government paid tribute to the more than sixty thousand men and women from Allied and other nations who are involved in NATO’s missions and operations.

Journalists from the Middle East and the Mediterranean attend Bucharest Summit

During the Bucharest Summit, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division organized a press tour for 26 senior journalists come from Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) countries, as well as from Oman and Saudi Arabia.

NATO multimedia exhibitions open at Parliament Palace

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Romania’s State Secretary and Chief of Department for Policy of Defence and Planning, Corneliu Dobritoiu, inaugurated the NATO multimedia exhibition entitled “Securing our Future” at the site of NATO’s Bucharest Summit on 2 April 2008.

NATO launches new TV channel

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen launched a new web-based television channel meant to improve understanding of the Alliance roles, operation and missions at the NATO Summit in Bucharest.

Young Atlanticists Summit connects young leaders in Bucharest and Kabul

Young leaders from NATO and Partner countries shared their experiences and learned more about NATO’s current and future security challenges during the Young Atlanticist Summit held during the NATO Summit in Bucharest on 2-4 April.

Afghan essay winners participate in the Young Atlanticist Summit

Afghan essay winners

In recognition of their remarkable ambition to advance research on issues of high relevance to the future of Afghanistan, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) invited the winners of the “Manfred Wörner Award for Afghan Students” to participate in the Young Atlanticist Summit as special guests.

Hello Kabul, this is Bucharest calling!

A new video teleconferencing (VTC) facility, made possible via the NATO Virtual Silk Highway project, connected students at the Young Atlanticist Summit in Bucharest on 2 and 3 April with their counterparts in Kabul University.

NATO-Ukraine Annual Target Plan 2008 

Following the approval by the NATO-Ukraine Commission and the subsequent signature of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, this year's NATO-Ukraine Annual Target Plan is now available on NATO and Ukrainian official web-sites.

Progress Report on Afghanistan

On the eve of the NATO Summit in Bucharest, NATO has published a report highlighting Progress in Afghanistan during the past 5 years. The report provides a snapshot of progress in the areas of security, reconstruction and development, and governance.

Czech PRT builds Comprehensive Health Clinic in Pole Alam District

The Czech Republic-led PRT will reconstruct several public health facilities in Lowgar province in the East of Afghanistan. After thirty years of fighting, afghan public health facilities are in ruins. There are not enough beds for patients, medicines, water or electricity for the hospitals.

Harmful pesticides cleaned up in Republic of Moldova

The process of repackaging and safe storage of 3,245 tonnes of obsolete pesticides and other dangerous chemicals, which had posed a serious environmental hazard in Moldova, was completed in April 2008 through a project funded by NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).