NATO foreign ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss defense spending, support for Ukraine, and collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners. Key points include strategic engagement in the Western Balkans and the Middle East, as well as the establishment of a NATO Liaison Office in Amman to enhance regional cooperation and stability.
NATO foreign ministers will convene at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels this Thursday and Friday to prepare for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, scheduled for the end of June. Key topics for discussion include bolstering defense spending among allies, advancing defense industrial capabilities, supporting Ukraine, and enhancing collaborations with Indo-Pacific partners such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea.
A NATO official noted the agenda would include discussions on maintaining momentum for increased defense expenditures and restructuring defense production, alongside continuing support for Ukraine. Additionally, cooperation with international partners on common interests will be emphasized during the meeting.
The meeting follows significant visits by NATO Secretary General to the Western Balkans, including Sarajevo, where he engaged with members of the Kosovo Force and the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team. These visits underscore the region’s strategic importance to NATO, as affirmed by alliance leaders at the last NATO summit. The security of the Western Balkans is deemed essential for broader stability, which NATO is committed to safeguarding.
A NATO-Ukraine Council session is scheduled to include Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. Furthermore, NATO ministers will meet with representatives from Indo-Pacific countries and engage in discussions with the EU High Representative.
The alliance is acutely aware of the instability and conflicts in its southern neighborhood and their effect on member states’ security. NATO is leveraging partnerships in the Middle East and Africa to bolster regional security and promote peace. An action plan adopted at the Washington Summit aims to enhance NATO’s strategic engagement in these areas, which includes the establishment of a NATO Liaison Office in Amman to deepen cooperation with local partners.
This liaison office will support dialogue and regional security initiatives. NATO continues to contribute to stability in Iraq through the NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI), which focuses on providing advisory support to improve security capacities. The mission aims to strengthen sustainable, inclusive security institutions, combat terrorism, and prevent the resurgence of ISIS, with plans to expand its scope at the Iraqi government’s request to include assistance for the Ministry of Interior and Federal Police Command.
In conclusion, NATO’s upcoming meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels will address crucial issues surrounding defense spending, support for Ukraine, and regional cooperation, particularly with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. The discussions are vital for maintaining regional security, especially in the context of the Western Balkans and the Middle East. The establishment of the NATO Liaison Office in Amman exemplifies the alliance’s commitment to enhancing partnerships and strategic approaches in the southern neighborhood. Ultimately, these efforts contribute significantly to the overarching goal of ensuring stability and security for NATO member states and their allies.
Original Source: www.jordannews.jo
