NATO Secretary General: We are as united as ever / Nato boosts presence in eastern Europe

Report from the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence held in Brussels, 26-27 October 2016.

The two days of talks noted progress in creating four NATO battalions in the Baltic States and Poland, closer cooperation with the European Union and training for Iraqi officers.

'Over the past two days, we assessed the various challenges confronting NATO', said Secretary General Stoltenberg. 'We took stock of our progress since the Warsaw Summit – and we mapped out the road ahead. We are as united as ever in our determination to protect our citizens'.

Mr Stoltenberg told the BBC that NATO was not seeking confrontation with Russia and did not want another Cold War.
The planned deployment of 4,000 extra troops to eastern Europe aimed to prevent, not provoke conflict.

NATO: Events: Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence, Brussels, 26-27 October 2016 http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/events_136346.htm

BBC News, 28.10.16: Nato chief says alliance 'does not want new Cold War' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37795668

EU: EEAS: Remarks/Speeches, 27.10.16: Remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini upon arrival at the NATO Defence Ministers' meeting http://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/13265/remarks-by-the-high-representativevice-president-federica-mogherini-upon-arrival-at-the-nato-defence-ministers-meeting_en

EUObserver, 27.10.16: Thousands of Nato soldiers go to Baltic states, Romania https://euobserver.com/foreign/135681

NATO: Topics: Boosting NATO’s presence in the east and southeast http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_136388.htm

ESO: Background information: NATO Summit, Warsaw, 8-9 July 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/nato-summit-warsaw-8-9-july-2016/

ESO: Background information: Securing the Nordic-Baltic region http://www.europeansources.info/record/securing-the-nordic-baltic-region/

Euro|Topics: Debates, October 2016: Nato boosts presence in eastern Europe http://www.eurotopics.net/en/168582/nato-boosts-presence-in-eastern-europe

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