Category: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Upon their arrival, the NATO Military Representatives headed to the Heroes Square – erected in memory of the lost heroes in the war against the Soviet Army and in operations in Abkhazia – for a wreath laying ceremony presided over by the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer and the Georgian Chief of Defence,  Major General Giorgi Matiashvili. Admiral Bauer then met with Minister Juansher Burchuladze to discuss the ongoing implementation of Georgia’s security and defence reforms within the context of its Annual National Programme – and regional security issues, with a focus on the Black Sea. 

On Thursday morning, the NATO Military Committee visited the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre, where they received briefings on the centre’s role and responsibilities, training capabilities and opportunities available to NATO and Partner Nations. During the tour of the facility, Admiral Bauer noted the important role the centre plays in hosting live and simulated training exercises, in certifying military units from Allied and partner countries, and building interoperability between NATO and Partner Armed Forces. While observing the interagency military EXERCISE DIDGORI 2023, Admiral Bauer acknowledged the professionalism and dedication of Georgian troops. , The exercise demonstrates their abilities and expertise as well as their readiness and ability to respond to any threat or challenge.

Admiral Bauer also met with the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, H.E. Salva Papuashvili and commended him for Georgia’s steadfast contributions to NATO. “We are grateful to have the outstanding support of the Georgian Armed Forces, especially through the first deployment of members of the Georgian Coast Guard to our Operation Sea Guardian and your increased participation in the NATO Response Force. Through almost 30 years of friendship, we have built a mutually beneficial cooperation that has both enriched and solidified our partnership. By working alongside our troops have managed to become more interoperable than ever before”, emphasised the Chair.

The afternoon saw the NATO Military Committee convene a special meeting in Georgia Format to discuss the ongoing security situation in and around Georgia, the implementation of Georgia’s defence reforms and the NATO-Georgia military cooperation. Chairing the meeting, Admiral Bauer underscored the long-standing partnership between NATO and Georgia. “Georgia is one of NATO’s closest partners and a key partner in the Black Sea region. This was reflected in the enhanced Substantial NATO-Georgia Package endorsed at the Madrid Summit. Reaffirmed in the Vilnius Summit Communiqué and in NATO’s new Strategic Concept. This is also echoed by our presence in Georgia, which sends a clear message: NATO’s partnership with Georgia is important to us. It is enduring and stronger than ever”, he concluded. 

Mr Stoltenberg welcomed that Germany has stepped up at a critical moment for European security and allocated troops for the defence of Europe, including a NATO brigade stationed in Lithuania and troops for the NATO battlegroup in Slovakia. The Secretary General praised Germany’s commitment to invest 2 percent of GDP in defence by next year, adding that “sustaining this level of investment will be a game-changer for our collective defence.” He also welcomed Germany’s strong leadership in the domain of cyber defence.

The Secretary General addressed Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, noting that Russia has now walked away from every arms control treaty. He said: “This is a pattern of reckless behaviour, and it makes the world more dangerous.” He affirmed that NATO remains fully committed to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, and called on Russia to play a responsible role.

The two leaders also discussed Russia’s ongoing brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. Mr Stoltenberg thanked Germany for providing critical support including Marder and Leopard tanks, IRIS-T air defences and munitions. He underlined the importance of giving the Ukrainians the weapons they need to stay strong on the battlefield, saying: “These contributions help Ukraine defend its freedom. And they help keep Europe safe.

Later today the Secretary General will deliver a speech at the first NATO Annual Cyber Defence Conference together with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

On 10 November, Mr Stoltenberg will meet German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. He will also receive the American Academy of Berlin’s 2023 Henry A. Kissinger Prize for his contribution to transatlantic relations.

On 10 November, the Secretary General will meet the Defence Minister of Germany, Mr Boris Pistorius. He will also receive the American Academy of Berlin’s 2023 Henry A. Kissinger Prize for his contribution to transatlantic relations.

Media advisory

Thursday          09 November 2023

13:30 (CET)      Joint press statements by the NATO Secretary General and the German Chancellor

16:00 (CET)      Remarks by the NATO Secretary General at the first NATO Annual Cyber Defence Conference

Friday               10 November 2023

14:35 (CET)      Joint press conference with the Secretary General and the Defence Minister of Germany

19:30 (CET)      The NATO Secretary General will receive the 2023 Henry A. Kissinger Prize

Media coverage

• A transcript of the Secretary General’s remarks, as well as pictures taken by NATO photographers, will be available on the NATO website.
• The joint press statements and the Secretary General’s remarks at the first NATO Annual Cyber Defence Conference will be live-streamed on the NATO website.
• More details can be found on the web pages of the Federal Government of Germany; American Academy in Berlin.

For more information:

Contact the NATO Press Office

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress

The Secretary General underlined the importance of collective resilience to address the full range of threats we face, from pandemics and climate change, to armed conflict. Allies discussed challenges to resilience across the Euro-Atlantic area, including the wider implications of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. They underlined the need for enhanced societal resilience, and more effective cooperation between the civilian and military sectors and across governments.

This second meeting on senior Allied resilience officials follows the endorsement of the 2023 resilience objectives by NATO leaders at the Vilnius Summit. The Secretary General urged Allies to continue their work to translate Alliance-wide objectives into their national resilience goals and implementation plans. Annual meetings of the senior officials for resilience were established as part of the NATO 2030 agenda to better coordinate national resilience efforts and enhance consultations within NATO.

Representatives of the PTEC community’s 34 centres, from Columbia to Mongolia, were present at the NATO Headquarters for the opening. In his opening remarks, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană thanked the PTECs for their “hard work and exceptional contribution to our Alliance.” He stressed that education and training are our best instruments to foster stability and resilience. “Because the threats we face are becoming more numerous and more complex, your constant support remains essential to ensure that our cooperation with our partners has a long lasting impact for their security, but also for our own security,” Mr. Geoană told PTEC representatives.

In his remarks, the Director General of the NATO International Military Staff, Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak also paid special tribute to the Ukrainian participants, including a group of military cadets; veterans attending the Games of Heroes sports competition; and representatives of the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre, which was bombed, last year, during Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, and the Military Police Training Centre. “I am confident that Ukraine will achieve victory and peace will be secured, hopefully soon, and the full strength of Ukrainian training and education activities with NATO and Partners will resume and even be increase by the significant amount of lessons to be learned from the ongoing and terrible war”, he underscored.

Faced with rising strategic competition and growing security challenges, NATO and its partners are cooperating ever more closely to better anticipate and prevent crises and conflicts, boost societal resilience, and protect their shared values. The Deputy Secretary General emphasised that PTECs provide resources that make NATO partners more interoperable, and better prepared to respond to crises. “In the last years, we have seen a growing number of PTECs being established in Partner countries, with even more Nations interested in developing additional PTECs in the future. This network helps train personnel on crisis management, operations planning, peace operations, demining, and even foreign languages. I am convinced that PTECs have great potential and capabilities, and will continue to make increasingly valuable contributions to NATO’s and Partners’ education and training efforts”, Lieutenant General Adamczak noted. 

Allies condemn Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), and its war of aggression against Ukraine which is contrary to the Treaty’s objectives. Russia’s withdrawal is the latest in a series of actions that systematically undermines Euro-Atlantic security. Russia continues to demonstrate disregard for arms control, including key principles of reciprocity, transparency, compliance, verification, and host nation consent, and undermines the rules based international order. While recognizing the role of the CFE as a cornerstone of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture, a situation whereby Allied States Parties abide by the Treaty, while Russia does not, would be unsustainable.

Therefore, as a consequence, Allied States Parties intend to suspend the operation of the CFE Treaty for as long as necessary, in accordance with their rights under international law. This is a decision fully supported by all NATO Allies.

Allies reiterate their continued commitment to reduce military risk, and prevent misperceptions and conflicts. Allies strive to build trust and confidence, based on key principles of transparency, compliance, verification, reciprocity and host nation consent, thereby contributing to peace and security. Allies invite those states that share this commitment and these principles, to join our efforts to also contribute to increasing predictability and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.

Allies remain united in their commitment to effective conventional arms control as a key element of Euro-Atlantic security, taking into account the prevailing security environment and the security of all Allies. This complements the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture that Allies have decided to further strengthen. Allies will continue to consult on and assess the implications of the current security environment and its impact on the security of the Alliance, and on our approach. Allies will make use of NATO as a platform for in-depth discussion and close consultation on arms control efforts.

On 10 November, the Secretary General will meet the Defence Minister of Germany, Mr Boris Pistorius. He will also receive the American Academy of Berlin’s 2023 Henry A. Kissinger Prize for his contribution to transatlantic relations.

Media advisory

Thursday          09 November 2023

13:30 (CET)     Joint press statements by the NATO Secretary General and the German Chancellor

16:00 (CET)      Remarks by the NATO Secretary General at the first NATO Annual Cyber Defence Conference

Friday               10 November 2023

19:30 (CET)      The NATO Secretary General will receive the 2023 Henry A. Kissinger Prize

Media coverage

• A transcript of the Secretary General’s remarks, as well as pictures taken by NATO photographers, will be available on the NATO website.
• The joint press statements and the Secretary General’s remarks at the first NATO Annual Cyber Defence Conference will be live-streamed on the NATO website.
• More details can be found on the web pages of the Federal Government of Germany; American Academy in Berlin.

For more information:

Contact the NATO Press Office

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress

His Majesty will also address the North Atlantic Council.

There will be no media opportunity.

Photographs will be available on the NATO website after the event. The video files will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal.

For more information:

Contact the NATO Press Office

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress

Media advisory

17:30 (CET)    Press conference by the NATO Secretary General and the President of Hungary

Media coverage

• Media representatives who have annual accreditation to NATO for 2023 can cover the press conference in person.
• The press statements will be live-streamed on the NATO website.
• The video will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event.
• A transcript of the Secretary General’s remarks, as well as pictures taken by NATO photographers, 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

Mr Stoltenberg condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel and underlined the importance of Israel’s response taking place within international law, that civilians are protected, and of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza. He stressed that the war must not escalate into a major regional conflict. “We must not give up working for a lasting, political peace solution,” he said, underlining that the war in Gaza “must not lead to a weakening of our will and ability to support Ukraine.”

Warning that there are no signs that Russia is planning for peace, Mr Stoltenberg stressed that Allies must continue to provide Ukraine with lethal aid. He added: “if Ukraine stops defending itself, they will be occupied, and occupation is not peace”. Calling Russia’s invasion “a strategic defeat” which has left Moscow increasingly isolated, he underlined that “investing in Ukraine’s security is also an investment in our security”, because a victory for Putin would show authoritarian leaders that military force pays. 

The Secretary General also underlined the importance of trading with China “in ways that do not undermine our security” or create new dependencies. This also requires continued investment in defence. “Increased defence spending means more defence. But it gives us one more thing: a stronger NATO community,” he said.

Finally, Mr Stoltenberg welcomed that NATO is not only getting stronger; “we’re getting bigger”. Following Finland’s accession in April, Sweden will also soon join the Alliance. This “strengthens our ability to defend the Nordic region; it strengthens our ability to be present in the northern regions; and it strengthens our ability to come to the aid of our Baltic neighbours,” he said.