Chair of the NATO Military Committee visits Kuwait
From 23-24 April, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee (CMC), Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, visited Kuwait to meet with the nation’s senior political and military leadership. The trip marked Admiral Cavo Dragone’s first time in the Gulf and his inaugural mission to a member of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), as CMC. During his stay, he also delivered remarks at the Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College (MAJCSC), visited the Salem Al-Sabah Air Base, and received a briefing at the NATO-Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Regional Centre in Kuwait (NIRC).
Photo courtesy of Kuna TV
On his official visit, Admiral Cavo Dragone held a high level meaning with His Highness the Crown Prince, Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah. The two discussed NATO-Kuwait cooperation, and committed to continuing strengthening this unique and fruitful relationship. CMC praised the nation for its essential role in fostering regional stability and security in the Gulf, for its pioneering role in the ICI and for its dedication to dialogue and practical cooperation with the Alliance.
CMC also had the opportunity to meet the Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Interior, H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. Both reflected on the 20 years of NATO-Kuwait partnership, as well as additional opportunities for deeper military cooperation between Kuwait and the Alliance.
Admiral Cavo Dragone had the opportunity to address the MAJCSC to discuss current global security challenges, and how NATO is tackling them. He stressed that from his personal experience, there are four practices that are instrumental in dealing with said challenges: adaptation on all fronts, cooperation with partners, a whole-of-society approach, and enlightened leadership. CMC emphasized the key role of partnerships, by stating “NATO’s overall strength doesn’t come from Allies alone. It comes from the contribution of our partners, too. As we say in NATO: Alone, you may go faster. Together, we will go further.”
During his visit to the NIRC, CMC praised the professional results and the even greater potential that the Centre holds to expand cooperation between NATO and the Gulf. Established in 2017, the NIRC has become a lynchpin for NATO’s cooperation efforts with ICI partners, and the Gulf as a whole. The NIRC is the first of its kind in the ICI, and acts a hub for strengthening political dialogue, education and training, and public diplomacy.