Riga, January 14, LETA. Russia’s aggressive behavior is causing the worst security situation in Europe since 1945, according to a meeting of the NATO Military Committee this week.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also took part in the first NATO Military Committee this year, giving the commanders of the Armed Forces an insight into the course and priorities of the NATO summit in Madrid in June, paying special attention to the importance of co-operation between the political and military levels in the Latvian National Armed Forces.
The meeting was chaired by Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. General Todd Walter, Commander-in-Chief of NATO’s European Forces, and General Philip Lavigne, Commander-in-Chief of Allied Command Transformation, also attended the sessions with the commanders of the armed forces of 30 NATO member states.
During the meeting, Commander of the Latvian Armed Forces Leonīds Kalniņš was confirmed as the Special Representative of the NATO Military Committee, who intends to replace the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and, if necessary, to represent the views of the Alliance Commanders on specific issues.
During the Military Committee, Allied Commanders agreed that the Alliance’s deterrence and defense measures should be proactive, while emphasizing the need for rapid and flexible adaptation to military challenges. The importance of military expertise in the development of NATO’s strategic documents was also emphasized, as was the need to strengthen the link between capability development and operational planning.
During the meeting, the commanders received current information on the progress of the NATO-Russia Council meeting. At the same time, it was emphasized that Russia’s aggressive behavior is causing the worst security situation in Europe since 1945.
During the meeting with the Commanders of the Armed Forces of Georgia and Ukraine, the Commanders of the NATO Armed Forces discussed the security issues of both countries, as well as the progress of the ongoing defense sector reforms.
Kalniņš points out that during the meeting, the commanders of the armed forces of the NATO member states expressed their readiness to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine. “This assistance will not only strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and self-defense capabilities, but will also send a strong deterrent signal to Russia,” Kalnins said.
The audience also expressed strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and praised Ukraine’s defense reforms.
The Commander of the Armed Forces welcomed Georgia’s defense sector reforms, the implementation of the NATO project in support of Georgia, and Georgia’s contribution to international security.
“At a time when Euro-Atlantic security is being tested, it is important that NATO’s closest partners continue to invest in the development of the armed forces, which opens up new opportunities for both bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” Kalnins said.
The NATO Military Committee is NATO’s highest military body. The Committee meets three times a year at the level of the Commanders of the Armed Forces, providing information support to the North Atlantic Council on important military and security issues so that the Alliance can respond effectively to global security challenges.
Two meetings of the Military Committee are held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, and one is organized on a rotating basis by a NATO member state. The next meetings are scheduled for May and September this year.
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