NATO Foreign Ministers meet in Brussels
NATO Foreign Ministers start two days of talks in Brussels on Tuesday (6 December 2016), focused on NATO’s adaptation to today’s security challenges. In the day’s first meeting – attended by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini as well as Finland and Sweden – NATO ministers are expected to agree a set of 40 concrete proposals to boost cooperation between NATO and the EU, including on so-called ‘hybrid’ threats, boosting cyber defence and working together at sea.
Later in the day, ministers will discuss the Alliance’s efforts to project stability beyond its borders – including NATO support to the Counter-ISIL Coalition, the training of Iraqi officers, and maritime operations in the Mediterranean. The situation in the Western Balkans and the Alliance’s commitment to its partners in the region will also be on the agenda.
On Wednesday morning, ministers from the 41 countries supporting NATO’s training mission in Afghanistan will meet Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani to reaffirm NATO’s commitment to Afghanistan and to discuss progress in the country. Ministers will stress that NATO’s mission to train, assist and advise Afghan security forces makes a substantial contribution to international efforts to fight terrorism. The gathering will wrap up Wednesday afternoon with a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission with Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. Ministers are expected to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine and reaffirm their strong political and practical support for Kiev.