Chief of Defence Major General Assoc. Prof. Bajram Begaj, accompanied by the military representative of the Republic of Albania in NATO, Major General Nazmi Cahani, attended the meeting of the NATO Military Committee, held at the Alliance Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
The meeting was chaired by the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Marshal Sir Stuart Peach where the Allied Chiefs of Defence participated and discussed the missions and operations of the Alliance, the strategic concepts of the Defense of the Euro-Atlantic region, as well as the challenges in facing the risks and threats in the next 20 years. The main focus was on modernizing the Alliance, military planning, NATO-led operations as well as partnerships with Ukraine and Georgia.
During his welcoming speech, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the NATO Summit in June will be a unique opportunity to test our Alliance in the future, to revitalize the transatlantic relationship, and to demonstrate our commitment to transatlantic solidarity, not only in words but also in deeds.
In the first session of the meeting, the Chiefs of Staff were briefed on the latest status of NATO engagements and discussed their present and future. The Allied Chiefs of Staff exchanged views on the progress and future of NATO-Afghanistan relations after the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The Chiefs of Staff of the Alliance reaffirmed their full support for the missions and operations and the unchanging approach regarding future joint decision-making.
The military leadership of the allied countries confirmed that the first major test of the Alliance and its Adapted Command Structure is the “Steadfast Defender 21” exercise, with the participation of more than 20 allies from North America and Europe. This exercise will help to improve the readiness and interoperability of allied forces and practice military mobility across Europe.
In the second session of the meeting were discussed proposals on NATO military support until 2030, as well as emerging military concepts related to the discouragement and defense of the Euro-Atlantic region and the Alliance's combat capabilities. The Alliance Chiefs of Defence also expressed their appreciation for the contribution of Ukraine and Georgia to NATO missions, as well as their role in security in the Black Sea region.
