Category: Intelligence

The visit was part of the annual review of activities conducted within the framework of NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) for the Republic of Moldova. The visiting delegation, the Manager of NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme, Pavel Anastasov, and subject matter experts across NATO took stock of the achievements made, set out the priorities for the rest of the year and planned activities for 2025. “We have made significant progress in helping instructors from Moldova improve their skills. We look forward to continue working closely with them as they continue their efforts to adopt NATO best practices in the domain of defence education and training,” said Mr Anastasov. 

Colonel Petru Mihalcea, Vice-rector for education at the Moldovan Military Academy, underlined the importance of regular exchanges with NATO and highlighted the added value of NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme for Moldova. “Since 2009, with the help of NATO and the DEEP programme we have been able to professionalise our officer and non-commissioning officer courses at our institution. We look forward to further enhancing our cooperation with NATO in this important area,” he pointed out.
Command Sergeant Major Andrei Cojocaru, National Army Command Senior Enlisted Leader added: “Together with DEEP experts we were able to develop non-commissioning officer courses in line with NATO’s “Non-Commissioning Officer Professional Military Education Reference Curricula”.

During the visit, NATO-EU cooperation in support of Moldova’s Military Academy was also addressed, and a plan for joint cooperation with the NATO Defence Education Enhancement Programme in support of Republic of Moldova was agreed. 

During the first session, Allied military leaders discussed the establishment of the new NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine command.
This will allow NATO to oversee training of Ukrainian armed forces at training facilities in Allied countries, support Ukraine through the planning and coordination of donations; manage transfer and repair of equipment and provide support to the long-term development of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Admiral Bauer, Chair of the Military Committee stated: “Every day, we grow more and more interoperable. Until one day, we will stand side by side under the NATO banner. Ukraine deserves our unrelenting support. Not only because of who they are as a people. But also because of who we are, as NATO.”

In the second session, Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher G. Cavoli, updated the Chiefs of Defence on the progress made in implementing NATO’s new defence plans, which are designed to strengthen NATO’s Warfighting capabilities and enhance its ability to deter and, if needed, defend against any potential threats. Over the past year, NATO put 500,000 troops on high readiness, established the Allied Reaction Force, adapted the command and control structure and ramped up the development and expansion of Allies’ military capabilities. In the coming year, more steps will be taken to increase the overall readiness of the Alliance.

The third session focused on warfighting transformation and was led by General Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT). Among other topics, the Chiefs of Defence discussed the launch of the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Centre (JATEC). This will focus on developing the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ ability to defend, deter, and operate seamlessly with NATO forces, increasing Ukraine’s interoperability with NATO. “It is a step we are taking today for a better and lasting peaceful future together”, General Lavigne stated.  Allied Chiefs of Defence also discussed the new capability targets under the NATO Defence Planning Process. Now that NATO and national defence plans are integrated on an unparalleled level, it is crucial that each Ally develops or expands the capabilities they have pledged to the Alliance.  

The Military Committee meets in Chiefs of Defence Session twice a year at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, and once a year a Conference is held by an Allied member state. The Military Committee convenes to discuss NATO operations, missions and activities and to provide the North Atlantic Council with unfettered, consensus-based military advice on how the Alliance can best address global security challenges. On a day-to-day basis, its work is carried out by the permanent Military Representatives at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

Major General Remigijus Baltrenas has been serving for over three decades in the Lithuanian Armed Forces with an extensive expertise in the intelligence community. He is currently the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and Vice Chief of Defence. He also brings a tremendous NATO experience from several deployments and postings throughout his distinguished career. Major General Remigijus Baltrenas has been the Lithuanian Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee from 2020 to 2023.

Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak expressed his heartfelt congratulations toMajor General Remigijus Baltrenas. “I am certain that he will be an excellent leader of the International Military Staff. His NATO experience, background and skills will benefit the position. I wish him all the best for this next chapter and every success”.

Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the Military Committee: “I am extremely pleased that Major General Remigijus Baltrenas has been elected to be the next Director General of the International Military Staff. I am highly confident in his abilities. He will surely provide strong leadership to the International Military Staff in his tasks to support to the Military Committee”.

Major General Remigijus Baltrenas first reaction to the election was: “I am extremely honoured and delighted to be elected and trusted by all NATO CHODs to lead the International Military Staff”. 

The Director General is the head the International Military Staff (IMS). The IMS consists of a staff of approximately 500 military and civilian personnel from NATO member countries, working at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The DGIMS is responsible to the Military Committee for the efficient and effective functioning of the IMS. She/he is empowered to act on behalf of the Military Committee on routine matters, and, in case of urgency, to take executive action on its behalf within its established policies.

In his opening speech, Admiral Rob Bauer, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, reflected on the Alliance’s key priorities, “The NATO Military Authorities have two herculean tasks that they need to undertake simultaneously. While continuing and ramping up our support to Ukraine, we must also bolster our own deterrence and defence.”

Looking back to the 2023 Military Committee Conference, Admiral Bauer highlighted the progress made on the implementation and executability of the DDA Family of Plans, “When we held this committee conference in Oslo last year, NATO’s new defence plans, the so called DDA Family of Plans, had just been approved. NATO now has 500,000 troops on high readiness, we established the Allied Reaction Force. We are adapting our Command and Control structure and Allies are rapidly developing and expanding their capabilities.”

Petr Pavel, the President of the Czech Republic, and former Chair of the Military Committee (2012-2015) stated that the 25th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s membership in NATO is a very important milestone in the development of Armed Forces of the Czech Republic. “It is an honour for Czech Republic to host for the first time a Military Committee Conference as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of joining NATO, and actually in the same year when the Alliance celebrates 75 years of its existence.”

“NATO proved to be truly the most successful and long-lasting military alliance in the world, which does not mean that it is perfect. Being a human creation, it is imperfect as we are, and we have to constantly work on improving it. However, it proved to be very successful in taking on board countries like the Czech Republic and many others, allowing them to become members of the zone of stability, security, and prosperity. This is the experience that I made in my total eight years in the NATO structures”, said the President of the Czech Republic.

In turn, Lieutenant General Karel Řehka, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, emphasised the urgency of continued Allied support to Ukraine. “For Ukraine, the ongoing Russian aggression is a war for survival. But it is also a fight for the principles of democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity that NATO exists to defend”.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces outlined how the security environment and the growing Russian threat generated a positive impact on national security and defence. “We have revised our national strategies and defence plans to better address the threats. We have elaborated our national Vision of Future Warfare beyond 2040 and accelerated the modernization of our armed forces, recognizing the need for state-of-the-art capabilities (…). Last, but not least, we have made the crucial decision to spend at least 2% of our GDP on defence.”

At 17h45 there will be a joint press conference by Admiral Bauer and Lieutenant General Karel Řehka. The joint press conference will be livestreamed on the NATO website.