| Author (Corporate) | North Atlantic Treaty Organisation |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Meeting |
| Series Details | 15-16.02.17 |
| Publication Date | 15/02/2017 |
| Content Type | Journal | Series | Blog |
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Meetings of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of Defence Ministers were held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on the 15-16 February 2017 The meeting focused on the importance of fair burden-sharing and higher defence spending. Ministers also discussed the fight against terrorism, and threats stemming from the Middle East and North Africa. It was the first meeting at this level for the new US Defence Secretary James Mattis, who stressed that the new US administration of Donald Trump strongly supported NATO but that all member states of NATO must honour military spending pledges or face the prospect of America 'moderating' its commitment to NATO. 'Americans cannot care more for your children’s future security than you do', he was reported as saying. Defence Ministers agreed to create a new regional Hub for the South, based at NATO’s Joint Force Command in Naples, on the 15 February 2017). The Hub was one part of the Alliance’s response to threats stemming from the Middle East and North Africa. Ministers also discussed NATO’s Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability and agreed to develop a follow-on capability for NATO AWACS planes after they retire around the year 2035. Allies agreed on the next steps to modernise the NATO Command Structure and reviewed progress on the deployment of new deterrent forces in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. In a ministerial meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission, Ministers praised Georgia’s defence reforms. NATO Secrertary General Stoltenberg noted that Georgia was making good progress, and NATO would continue to help Georgia advance on its path towards membership. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/events_140742.htm |
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| Subject Categories | Security and Defence |
| Countries / Regions | Europe, United States |
