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Source: Europol
The arrested individual was wanted by Slovenian authorities and was under investigation for drug trafficking and money laundering. Authorities believe the suspect recruited accomplices and provided them with vehicles with purpose-built hidden compartments in order to transport and sell cocaine and heroin. They would then launder the profits by purchasing real estate and luxury vehicles. During the operational activities, law…
Source: NATO
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (14 December 2023). Mr Stoltenberg praised Slovakia’s commitment to the Alliance, including hosting a multinational NATO battlegroup, deploying forces to Latvia, and planning to invest 2% of GDP in defence. They also discussed continued support to Ukraine and further bolstering the Alliance’s deterrence and defence.
The Secretary General welcomed Slovakia’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasising that “there are no signs that Putin is preparing for peace. Instead the Kremlin is preparing for a long and grinding war”. Mr Stoltenberg thanked Prime Minister Fico for confirming that Slovakia would continue to provide humanitarian aid and contribute to NATO’s comprehensive assistance package for Ukraine. He also welcomed continued defence industry cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine and that the crucial repair hub in Slovakia will remain operational. “Stopping military assistance to Kyiv would prolong the war, not end it,” said the Secretary General. Mr Stoltenberg aIso welcomed President Biden’s clear commitment to providing Ukraine with crucial aid, stressing that “if Putin wins in Ukraine, there is a real risk that his aggression will not end there.”
On NATO’s deterrence and defence, the Secretary General announced that a long-planned US missile defence base in Poland will become operational on Friday (15 December 2023). “This is an important step for transatlantic security” and it will “boost Allies’ ability to defend against the threat of ballistic missiles, particularly from the Middle East,” said Mr Stoltenberg.
Source: NATO
Allies agreed NATO’s civil and military budgets for 2024 at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Wednesday (13 December 2023). The civil budget is set at €438.1 million, and the military budget is set at €2.03 billion, representing a 18.2% and 12% increase respectively over 2023.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană highlighted that increasing and broadening the use of NATO common funding allows Allies to more effectively address shared security challenges. “Common funding demonstrates Allied solidarity and collective will. In turbulent times, we need this more than ever,” he said.
At the Madrid Summit in 2022, Allies agreed to invest more together in NATO, in response to rising global competition and threats to Euro-Atlantic security caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. At the Vilnius Summit in 2023, NATO leaders took further steps to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence and committed to ensuring that these decisions are adequately resourced. They reaffirmed their enduring commitment to a strong transatlantic bond, unity and cohesion at a critical time for global peace and security.
NATO’s civil budget provides funds for personnel, operating costs, and programme expenditures of NATO’s Headquarters and its international staff. The military budget covers the operating costs of NATO Command Structure headquarters, missions, and operations around the world. NATO’s third principal common funded element is the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP), which covers major construction, and command and control system investments. The 2024 ceiling for the NSIP is €1.3 billion, representing a 30% increase over 2023.
Common-funded budgets strengthen NATO, providing major capabilities, enabling deterrence, defence and interoperability, and supporting consultation and decision-making at the highest levels. NATO is committed to providing security in a way that is effective, transparent, and financially responsible.
Source: NATO
On 14 and 15 December, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr Mircea Geoană, will travel to France.
The Deputy Secretary General will meet the President of the National Assembly, H.E. Ms Yaël Braun-Pivet. Mr Geoană will also meet French government officials, including the Secretary General for Defence and National Security, Mr Stéphane Bouillon, and the Secretary General of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Anne-Marie Descȏtes.
He will also engage with representatives from the private sector, namely the CEO of Dassault Aviation, Mr Éric Trappier, and the Senior Executive Vice-President of Thales, Ms Pascale Sourisse.
There will be no media opportunity.
Photographs will be available on the NATO website after the event.
For more information:
For general queries: Contact the NATO Press Office
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Source: NATO
On Wednesday 13 December, senior representatives from across the Alliance gathered at NATO Headquarters in Brussels to hold the first meeting of the Defence Industrial Production Board. The Board is a key part of stepping up efforts for defence production – both to increase national capabilities for deterrence and defence, and to replenish the stockpiles that have been depleted by their support to Ukraine. A robust and flexible defence industry contributes to strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence and defence.
Allied experts, joined by the NATO Industrial Advisory Group, discussed national and NATO perspectives on defence industrial capacity, including measures to boost defence production, develop recommendations to address supply chain security and engage more closely with defence industry. The Board will report to the Conference of National Armament Directors (CNAD), the committee that brings together the top national officials responsible for defence procurement in NATO member and partner countries.
At the 2023 Vilnius Summit, Allied Leaders agreed the Defence Production Action Plan to accelerate joint procurement, boost production capacity and enhance Allies’ interoperability. NATO Allies are committed to sustaining the defence industrial production capacity required in peacetime, crisis and conflict. NATO plays a key role as a convener and standard-setter, helping Allies harmonise their defence procurement demands and helping industry understand Allied requirements so that they can deliver a sustainable supply.
Source: Europol
The joint investigation into this criminal network was initiated in 2021. The suspects recruited the victims, young women from Romania, via the so-called ‘lover boy’ method or by seducing them with the false promise of good work opportunities abroad. Once the girls were under their control, the suspects transported them to Spain and forced them into street prostitution. They coerced…
Source: Europol
During the large-scale operation, which involved almost 200 police officers, law enforcement authorities also dismantled a laboratory in Belgium where members of the criminal organisation produced and stored synthetic drugs. Following production, the criminal group would smuggle the drugs across different countries in Europe. The action day on 12 December 2023 led to:16 locations searched (3 specific spots believed to be…
Source: NATO
On Thursday, 14 December 2023, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, will receive the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Mr Robert Fico, at the NATO Headquarters.
Media advisory
10:00 (CET) Joint press conference by the Secretary General and the Prime Minister of Slovakia
Media coverage
For more information:
Contact the NATO Press Office
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@NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress
Source: Europol
The operation led to:226 inspectionsSeizures include: timber from Myanmar with an estimated value of EUR 12 000; Brazilian timber – equivalent to 2 maritime containers – with an estimated value of EUR 67 0001 criminal investigation initiated.A lucrative practice with pernicious effects on climateIllegal timber trade is an ominous practice that entails the clear-cutting of an area of forest equivalent…
Source: NATO
On 12 and 13 December, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He will meet with the Minister of Defence, H.E. Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, and other high-level officials.
He will also participate in a moderated discussion at Saudi Arabia National Defense University.
Media Advisory
13 December 2023, Time TBC (CET) Secretary General at the Saudi Arabia National Defense University
Media Coverage
Photographs, will be available on the NATO website.
For more information:
Contact the NATO Press Office
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress