Daniel Mitov participates in the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs
01 December 2015 News
Minister Daniel Mitov participates in the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which is held on 1-2 December at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. There is a need to take key decisions related to the further involvement of the Allies in Afghanistan, the Open Door policy and the fight against hybrid threats in order to address the unprecedented challenges to international security. The meeting provides platform for important policy discussions related to the relations with Russia, the practical dimension of support for Ukraine and countering the growing threats from the South and East. The meeting is another step in the preparation of the 2016 Warsaw Summit.
The ministerial started with a joint meeting of the North Atlantic Council and operational partners in the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission at the level of Foreign Ministers. The participants made a review of the current security environment in Afghanistan together with the Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani. They discussed parameters of further development of cooperation with Afghan security forces in 2016, and ways to finance the security forces from 2018-2020. In this context, ministers will look at ways to strengthen the long-term partnership with Afghanistan, looking into the so-called enduring partnership.The Allies reaffirmed NATO’s readiness to sustain the presence of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan in 2016 while maintaining the current configuration of forces. Ministers adopted a statement reflecting the results of the meeting.
A separate session of foreign ministers, together with European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini will discuss the security implications arising from the threats and challenges to the south. The participants agreed that the risks we see can only be addressed by a coordinated international response and increasingly close cooperation between NATO and the EU. The Alliance is already increasing the readiness and preparedness of its forces, as well as enhancing intelligence and situational awareness in the region. "It is important to remain calm while strengthening our support for Tunisia, Iraq and Jordan to build up their own security," said Stoltenberg earlier in the day. Ministers are expected to agree on specific measures to further strengthen security in Turkey. The statement is available HERE.
Within the first day of the meeting NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, General Philip M. Breedlove, will inform the Ministers on the security challenges in the region in light of the recent developments. As a result of the ongoing discussion, NATO Foreign Ministers are expected to adopt strategic guidelines on the NATO's southern strategy. They will also adopt a new hybrid warfare strategy.
The first day of the meeting will conclude with a working dinner of the foreign ministers, which will focus on topical aspects of relations with Russia in the light of the Wales decisions. The purpose of the discussion is to outline guidelines for the forthcoming activities in this area before the 2016 Warsaw Summit.