NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting took place on 1 and 2 December at NATO HQ. The Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Ambassador Mariangela Zappia participated in the event.
Many topics were discussed during this two-day meeting in Brussels: Afghanistan, Libya, Southern Flank, relations with Russia, Montenegro and Ukraine.
Allied countries confirmed the presence of Resolute Support Mission (RSM) during 2016, with approximately 12,000 troops. The countries stressed the need to strengthen cooperation with the international community to make sure that the Afghan forces continue to be funded. Furthermore, the session focused on the importance of developing the Alliance’s Enduring Partnership with Afghanistan, which entails the establishment of a civilian-led presence that will follow the Resolute Support Mission.
On Southern Flank, the Alliance is pursuing three main action lines: strengthening collective defence; helping to manage crises; and working with partners to build regional stability. On this occasion, Allies approved a new strategy on hybrid warfare. In addition, Allied stated that the effectiveness of the coalition is based to a large extent on the interoperability built by Allies and partners over many years of NATO operations.
Moreover, NATO Foreign Ministers decided to invite Montenegro to start accession talks to become the 29th member of the Alliance. Secretary General hailed the decision as “historic.”
Finally, during the NATO-Ukraine Commission session, the political and practical support to the country was confirmed. The full implementation of the Minsk Agreements represents the only path towards a peaceful solution to the conflict.
During the Ministers Meeting, the official logo of next NATO Summit in Warsaw (8-9 July 2016) was unveiled.
Read and watch the Ministerial timeline at our Storify.
For further information:
Pre-ministerial Press Conference by the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
Doorstep statement by the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
Press conference by the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the Resolute Support meeting
Press statements by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini
Press conference by the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council
Joint press point by the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Igor Lukšić
Press conference by the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting
