On 6-7 December 2016, NATO Foreign Ministers gathered in Brussels. Minister Paolo Gentiloni, assisted by the Permanent Representative of Italy to NATO Claudio Bisogniero, took part in the event.
On the first day, the need was confirmed to make a shared effort with the European Union on military and non-military threats, e.g. in the maritime and cyber fields, crisis management and NATO and EU resources. A better coordination between NATO and the EU was also reaffirmed, in order for both organizations to have better complementary programmes. In this respect, NATO acted as a go-between for the development of strengthened relations also between North America and European Union, considered as regions with great potential. Over 40 proposals have been presented in a broad range of fields.
In the afternoon, Ministers discussed the issue of Projecting Stability beyond the borders of the Alliance, especially as concerns Syria, Iraq and the Balkans. As per the fight against Daesh, AWACS surveillance system is starting to give good results, but at the end of its mission, local forces will have to preserve stability in the territory: the armed forces of Allies have already trained Iraqi officers in Jordan in order to meet this need, and as from January 2017 training will also be conducted in Iraq itself. Support to reform processes in Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine – and especially Afghanistan and the Balkans – is of course underway.
During the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, Ministers reviewed progress on the implementation of the Comprehensive Assistance Package, which was agreed at the Warsaw Summit in July 2016, and they reaffirmed their solidarity and assistance to the Country. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin reconfirmed the willingness of Ukraine to meet the obligations of the minsk Agreements. The programme of reforms in Ukraine will contribute to closer relations with NATO and enhanced cooperation opportunities in the future.
Lastly, during the meeting of Ministers in Resolute Support format, operations beyond 2016 were approved, as well as the financing of Afghan security forces until 2020. The responsibility of preserving stability also lies within local forces, the training and financing of which will lead to a restabilization of the region. In this respect, last October the community pledged a further contribution of 15 billion dollars. The Afghan Foreign Minister Rabbani confirmed his Country is fully committed in terms of reforms.
During the 2-day event, Foreign Ministers of Norway, Italy and Canada celebrated the 60th anniversary of the so-called Report of the Three Wise Men of 1956. This report, drafted by the Foreign Ministers of Italy, Canada and Norway, Gaetano Martino (Chairman), Lester B. Pearson and Halvard M. Lange, gave origin to the political dimension of NATO.
