NATO and Partner Chiefs of Defence to meet at NATO Headquarters
Top military officers of the Alliance’s member and Partner nations will convene at NATO HQ, Brussels, on 6th and 7th May 2009, for their Spring meeting. This is the first of three meetings per year for the NATO Chiefs of Defence, NATO’s highest military authority.More than 40 Chiefs of Defence from NATO members, ISAF troop contributing non-member nations, Ukraine and Georgia will be in attendance. Chiefs of Defence from Albania and Croatia will participate for the first time in their status as NATO member countries. The Afghanistan Chief of Defence and the Afghanistan Deputy Minister of the Interior and Chief of Police, together with the Commander, Combined Security Transitional Command, Afghanistan will also participate, via videoconference, for discussions on the situation in Afghanistan. The Chairman of the EU Military Committee will also attend.
Over the several different sessions, Chiefs of Defence will take stock of all NATO-led operations and missions (ISAF, KFOR and maritime operations in particular). They will also discuss the way ahead on military-related issues raised at the recent Strasbourg-Kehl NATO Summit in April 2009, to include the development of the new Strategic Concept.
Additional meetings will be held in Ukraine format (updating on current progress in military transformation) and, for the first time, in Georgia format (with emphasis on military reform priorities and military cooperation).
Note for the Editor:
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Wednesday, 06 May 09
- Photo coverage of the opening of the MC/CS session on Wednesday, 06 May 09. Mrs. Dehaes will meet the media pool at the Press Counter no later than 0750hrs for an 0815hrs-0830hrs opportunity.
Thursday, 07 May 09
- Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola,Chairman of the Military Committee will give a Press Conference at 1400 in Room Brosio.
Photos and video of all opening sessions will be available on-line at www.nato.int. shortly after each meeting. A news release summarising the discussions will be issued at the conclusion of the 7th May sessions.
Accreditation
Journalists wishing to cover these opportunities will be able to access NATO HQ on presentation of a NATO accreditation pass or a valid press pass.
Enquiries
Point of contact for the Military Committee meetings:
Col. Massimo Panizzi or Cdr. Giovanni Galoforo
Tel: +32 2 707 5983 / 5752
General press arrangements:
Mrs. Karen Dehaes
Public Affairs Officer, IMS.
Tel: +32 2 707 5423
TV-Radio:
Mr. Jean-Marc Lorgnier
Tel: +32 2 707 5006
