NATO ships successfully complete seventh escort mission

With the safe arrival at Berbera, Somalia, of the merchant vessel As Salaam, 29,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid of the World Food Programme (WFP) have been delivered to Somalia under NATO protection. Seven escorting missions have been conducted in support of the WFP since the Alliance launched the anti-piracy operation Allied Provider, on 24 October 2008.

All change at the NATO Programming Centre

The NATO Programming Centre based in Glons, Belgium, held a ceremony to mark its transfer of authority from the Allied Command Operations to the NATO Communications Service Agency. The NATO Programming Centre, which is currently tasked with maintaining the Alliance’s Air Command and Control systems, will soon be reassigned as the System Support Centre for the NATO Air Command & Control System.

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Mélange disposal project to start in Uzbekistan

On 28 November 2008, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division, the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) and the Republic of Uzbekistan officially signed an agreement to carry out a Science for Peace and Security project aimed at the destruction of mélange in Uzbekistan.

The Secretary General condemns terrorist attacks in India

The Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said today: “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the mindless and indiscriminate terrorist attacks in Mumbai..."

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NATO Secretary General visits Afghanistan

 

NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, paid a brief visit to Afghanistan on 26 and 27 November 2008. During his visit, the Secretary General met with President Karzai and Lieutenant General Jim Dutton, Deputy Commander ISAF, in order to receive an update on the current political and military situation in Afghanistan.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania visits NATO

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Mr. Lulzim Basha, visited the NATO Headquarters on Tuesday, 25 November 2008 and met with the NATO Secretary General.

NATO Mediterranean Dialogue Seminar in Israel

The NATO Public Diplomacy Division co-organised with the Tel Aviv Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) on 24-26 November 2008 an international seminar on Regional Security Dialogue and Cooperation in the Middle East.

North Atlantic Council meets with Political and Security Committee

The North Atlantic Council (NAC) and the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the European Union met on 24 November 2008 to discuss Western Balkans, in particular the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

NATO hosts briefing on improvised explosive device

The fifth ISAF Improvised Explosive Device (IED) briefing took place from 24 to 25 November at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. Participants from NATO and Partner troop contributing nations to ISAF met to exchange information on the current IED threat, including best tactics, training procedures and the latest technological counter-measures.

50 years of Science at NATO

SPS 50th anniversary exhibition

The NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme marks its 50th anniversary with an exhibition, to coincide with the meeting of the SPS Committee taking place on 20-21 November at the Alliance’s Headquarters in Brussels.

NATO Chief visits Ghana

From Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 November, the Secretary General, accompanied by Mrs de Hoop Scheffer, paid a visit to Ghana, on the invitation of President Kufuor.

NATO ships escort convoy to deliver 21.000 tons of food

A convoy of three World Food Program (WFP) chartered vessel is transiting form Mombassa towards Somali ports escorted by NATO ships, to deliver over 21,000 tons of humanitarian aid. Two NATO navy ships operating in Operation Allied Provider are escorting these three vessels, in order to protect them against piracy.

NATO Military Committee concludes two days of meetings in Brussels

Chiefs of Defence of more than 60 Countries together with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander for Operations and  NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation attended, at various levels, the NATO Military Committee Meetings.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine visits NATO

Mr. Volodymyr Ogryzko, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, visited NATO HQ on Wednesday, 19 November 2008. He held a bilateral meeting with the Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, and addressed the NATO-Ukraine Commission.

Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan visits NATO

The Chief of the Army Staff of Pakistan General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, visited NATO headquarters on Wednesday 19 November 2008. He met with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

Fourth Ukrainian ship supports Operation Active Endeavour 

The URS Ternopil

The URS Ternopil, a Ukrainian corvette, has started its second deployment in support of Operation Active Endeavour. It will be conducting surveillance and monitoring activities as part of NATO’s maritime counter-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean from 18 November to 3 December.

NATO Naval Armaments Group turns 50

On 18 November 2008, the NATO Naval Armaments Group (NNAG) celebrated its 50th anniversary by organizing a seminar and exhibition.

Secretary General addresses NATO Parliamentary Assembly

The NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer addressed today in Valencia (Spain) the 54th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Conference focuses on future security challenges

Allied Command Transformation co-sponsored the annual Concept Development and Experimentation (CD&E) conference on 17-20 November in Oslo, Norway. The purpose of the conference was to create a venue where various agencies related to CD&E, including industry, could come together to identify, discuss and share ideas concerning future global security challenges and how to address them.

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Building economic progress in Afghanistan

The NATO Economic Committee hosted a meeting with Afghan experts and representatives of major international organizations to discuss the economic dimension and contribution to the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Political-Military Plan for Achieving Enduring Progress in Afghanistan.

NATO Wives Bazaar celebrates 40th anniversary

The 40th edition of the NATO Wives Bazaar took place on 16 November at the Alliance’s Headquarters. The annual Bazaar, organized since 1968, is a charity sale held under the patronage of NATO’s Secretary General, NATO’s Deputy Secretary General, the Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee and their spouses.

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NATO ship prevents likely pirate attack

Italian Navy destroyer Luigi Durand de la Penne

On 15 November at 1630 (local time) the Italian Navy destroyer Luigi Durand de la Penne, flagship of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 and of the anti-piracy Operation Allied Provider, prevented a likely attack against the Panama flagged merchant vessel Kirti by two skiffs that were maneuvering on a piracy attack pattern.

NATO Deputy Secretary General visits Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero visited Sarajevo from 13 - 14 November and met with the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Berlin seminar addresses the challenge of WMD proliferation

More than 150 senior officials representing 53 countries from five continents, as well as a number of international organizations and academic institutions, met in Berlin, Germany, and began two-day discussions on the challenges of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

UK ship confronts pirates in the Gulf of Aden

HMS Cumberland
(Crown copyright)

The Royal Navy Warship HMS Cumberland, one of the three NATO ships involved in Operation Allied Provider, successfully warded off an attack by a group of pirates, who were attempting to take control of a commercial vessel off the Horn of Africa on 11 November.

NATO joins forces to address environment security

Monitoring of the Pripyat river has been identified as a priority under the ENVSEC Initiative

The Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) hosts a conference on the environmental dimensions of security in Brussels on 13 November 2008. NATO, as an associated member, jointly organizes the event with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Regional Environmental Centre (REC) and United Nation Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Secretary General chairs high-level NATO-Ukraine consultations

The Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, visited the Estonian capital Tallinn on 12 - 13 November 2008, to chair the sixth Informal High-Level NATO-Ukraine Consultations.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway visits NATO

The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, visited NATO Headquarters on Wednesday 12 November 2008. He met for bilateral talks with the Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps holds annual exercise

The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) headquarters will host a visitors’ day on 12 November during its annual exercise at Sennelager Training Centre, near Paderborn, Germany.

Experts discuss Central Asia and Afghanistan

The NATO Public Diplomacy Division sponsored a conference on “Central Asia and Afghanistan: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects” which took place on 11 – 12 November 2008 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. 

NATO Talk around the Brandenburger Tor

The Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will inaugurate a new communication platform for transatlantic security issues on the margins of the annual Atlantic Treaty Association’s General Assembly in Berlin, Germany from 10 to 12 November.

NATO Secretary General visits Berlin

© Presse und Informationsamt der Bundesregierung

The NATO Secretary General visited Berlin and met with Chancellor Angela Merkel. They discussed issues related to the Alliance's operations and missions and to the political agenda leading up to the 60th anniversary summit meeting next year.

NATO Shipping Centre ramps up reporting scheme to counter piracy

The NATO Shipping Centre, which provides information exchange with the international shipping community, has expanded its reporting scheme to include the Gulf of Aden in support of international counter piracy actions and with the aim of ensuring safe and secure passage for merchant shipping.

Head of NATO Maritime Group meets with Somalia's World Food Program Director

Rear Admiral Gumiero, Commander of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) met with Country Director of the World Food Program for Somalia, Mr. Gossens.  They discussed NATO and WFP's  coordination for the planning and execution of escorts to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of food shipments.

Journalists from Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) visit NATO

 

On 7 November 2008 the NATO Public Diplomacy Division organised a visit to NATO Headquarters of journalists from the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Meeting of the SEEGROUP at ambassadorial level

The South East Europe Security Cooperation Steering Group (SEEGROUP), a forum promoting regional cooperation and long-term stability in the Balkans, held a meeting at ambassadorial level in NATO Headquarters on 6 November 2008. SEEGROUP is currently composed of 32 members, representing 20 NATO countries and 12 Partner nations.

Secretary General of the League of Arab States visits NATO

The Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Amr Moussa, visited NATO Headquarters on 6 November, 2008. During the visit he met the Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and addressed the North Atlantic Council.

President of Armenia visits NATO

The President of Armenia, Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, visited NATO Headquarters on 5 November 2008. He met with the Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

Prime Minister of Montenegro visits NATO

The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Milo Djukanovic, visited NATO Headquarters on Wednesday 5 November 2008. He met with the Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

Secretary General congratulates President-elect Obama

Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

I offer warm congratulations to Senator Obama on his election to become the next US President.The transatlantic link, based upon the shared values on which our Alliance was founded almost 60 years ago, remains essential.

North Atlantic Council visits KFOR

The North Atlantic Council (NAC) visited KFOR and met with COMKFOR and with the authorities in Kosovo. The members of the NAC also met with leaders of the Serb community and visited different Multinational Task Forces.

NATO and partners explore multiple futures

Allied Command Transformation (ACT) hosted the annual Strategic Military Partner Conference from 3 to 5 November in Tirana, Albania. The event provided a unique venue for all NATO, Partnership for Peace, Mediterranean Dialogue, Istanbul Cooperation Initiative and selected Contact Country Chiefs of Defence for discussions on the “Multiple Futures” project.