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Source: NATO
On Tuesday, 17 December 2024, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, the Honourable Penny Wong, at NATO Headquarters, in Brussels.
There will be no media opportunity.
Photographs will be available on the NATO website.
For more information:
For general queries: contact the NATO Press Office
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Source: NATO
On Wednesday 11 December, NATO published a list of 12 defence-critical raw materials essential for the Allied defence industry. These materials are integral to the manufacture of advanced defence systems and equipment.
Aluminium, for example, is pivotal in producing lightweight yet robust military aircraft and missiles, enhancing their agility and performance. Graphite is crucial for the production of main battle tanks and corvettes due to its high strength and thermal stability. In submarines, graphite is used in the construction of hulls and other structural components, significantly reducing acoustic signatures and enhancing stealth capabilities. Cobalt is another critical material, essential for producing superalloys used in jet engines, missiles, and submarines, which can withstand extreme temperatures and stress.
The availability and secure supply of these materials are vital to maintaining NATO’s technological edge and operational readiness. Disruptions in their supply could impact the production of essential defence equipment. Identifying these key materials is NATO´s first step towards building stronger, better protected supply chains, crucial for Allied defence and security.
This initiative is part of a roadmap, endorsed by NATO Defence Ministers in June 2024, to protect Allied supply chains from disruptions that could affect NATO’s deterrence and defence. The list was informed by the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG), using a defence-capability focused methodology. The public release of this list highlights NATO’s commitment to support Allies in securing essential materials for the development and delivery of Allied defence capabilities.
List of NATO Defence Critical Raw Materials
Source: Europol
Searches were conducted simultaneously at multiple locations. The State Police carried out 26 searches in Riga, discovering warehouses containing cigarettes and detaining 7 individuals, including 6 Latvian and 1 Russian national. Meanwhile, the State Border Guard carried out 8 searches in Ludza, Rēzekne and Daugavpils, detaining 25 Ukrainian nationals at the Ludza factory, where counterfeit cigarettes were being manufactured under…
Source: NATO
On Monday (16 December 2024) NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to NATO Headquarters. The Secretary General thanked the Prime Minister for his country’s support to NATO’s military presence in Latvia and Bulgaria, its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and training mission in Iraq. He also praised Montenegro’s commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence this year.
The Secretary General expressed gratitude for Montenegro’s support to Ukraine, including the delivery of military equipment and contributions to NATO’s comprehensive assistance package. He underscored the urgency of increased support as Ukraine faces a challenging winter, with ongoing attacks from Russia targeting civilians and critical infrastructure. “Ukraine needs our urgent support,” said Secretary General Rutte. “All Allies must deliver on the commitments made at the Washington Summit,” he added.
The two leaders discussed the security situation in the Western Balkans and the threats posed by Russia’s malign activities on NATO territory. Mr Rutte noted Montenegro’s efforts to counter Russia’s malign threats, including being the first recipient of a NATO Counter Hybrid Support Team and joining the NATO Rapid Response Group. He also reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to the stability of the region.
Source: Europol
In total, 12 countries collected over 6 350 links from 46 online platforms and 20 websites that incite violence or contain hate speech against ethnoreligious groups. This includes material produced or disseminated by organisations, individuals or groups containing illegal hate speech, such as anti-Semitic hate speech, as well as material celebrating or calling for violent or terrorist acts against an…
Source: Eurojust
The criminal gang was responsible for the import, export, supply, transport and sale of weapons and explosive materials from Kosovo to Albania. It is suspected that the gang intended to set up a trafficking route towards the European Union. In addition to arms trafficking, the gang also trafficked drugs, mainly cocaine, from Albania to Kosovo.
In April this year, the Special Prosecutor’s Office in Kosovo found out about the criminal group and launched its investigation. As the criminal group consisted of citizens from both Kosovo and Albania, judicial cooperation began. A joint investigation team (JIT) was set up at Eurojust, with the support of the Western Balkans Criminal Justice Project. This project strengthens cooperation within the Western Balkans and between the region and the EU, using modern tools and methods to combat organised crime and terrorism.
The JIT enabled the Albanian and Kosovar authorities to work together efficiently and effective, exchanging information in real time. A joint operation was planned to arrest the members of the criminal group, search properties to seize arms and gather evidence.
On 10 and 11 December, authorities launched their joint operation. During their actions, eight suspects were arrested in Kosovo. Nine properties owned by the suspects were searched, where authorities seized 29 pistols, 3 long guns, over 2600 rounds of ammunition, 2 vehicles and electronic equipment. In Albania, six suspects were arrested and seven properties were searched. Authorities seized 23 firearms, a hand grenade, 470 rounds of ammunition, 3 vehicles, 10 mobile phones and a significant amount of money. Investigations are ongoing.
The following authorities were involved in the actions:
Albania: Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction of Tirana; State Police
Kosovo: Special Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kosovo; Kosovo Police
* This designation is made without prejudice to positions on status and is in accordance with UNSCR 1244/ 1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
Source: NATO
On Monday, 16 December 2024, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet with the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr Milojko Spajić, at NATO Headquarters, in Brussels.
Media advisory
13:25 (CET) Joint press conference by the Secretary General and the Prime Minister of Montenegro
Media coverage
For more information:
Contact the NATO Press Office
Follow us on X: @NATO, @SecGenNATO and @NATOPress
Source: NATO
In 2024, photographers from across the Alliance took thousands of pictures documenting NATO’s historic 75th anniversary year. They captured the magnitude of landmark political events like the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington D.C., the grit and cooperation of Allied troops conducting NATO exercises, and other moments of beauty, unity and humanity. We chose four of our favourite photos and put them to a vote on social media, asking the public to choose NATO’s photo of the year for 2024. And the winner is…
Source: Europol
The scale and scope of this operation were designed to be as wide as possible. Checks and searches encompassed both the physical and the online world, including the clear web, the dark web, and social media platforms. Notably, these ‘cyber patrols’ involved not only law enforcement authorities but also prosecutors from different jurisdictions, adding significant value to their operational effectiveness.In…
Source: NATO
In his first major speech as NATO Secretary General, Mr Mark Rutte highlighted the critical need to ramp up defence spending and defence production in an increasingly turbulent security environment. Speaking at an event hosted by Carnegie Europe in Brussels on Thursday (12 December 2024), Mr Rutte called on Allies to “shift to a wartime mindset and turbo charge our defence production and defence spending.”
– NATO Secretary General, Mr Mark Rutte
Mr Rutte’s speech was followed by a conversation moderated by Dr Rosa Balfour, Director of Carnegie Europe.