Minister Kotromanovic on NATO joint meeting of foreign and defence ministers

The main focus of the meeting was on preparations for the upcoming Summit to be held on 21 and 22 May 2012 in Chicago, and in this regard, the ministers discussed the Alliance’s future engagement in Afghanistan. The ministers also discussed the Interim Ballistic Missile Defense Capability which is expected to be declared by the Heads of States and Governments during the Summit. Other topics related to the measures to be taken so that NATO would have the necessary capabilities in accordance with the requirements of the Strategic Concept for the period up to and after 2020, and on further strengthening of the network of partnerships for global security.

The meeting began with the session in the defence ministers’ format, where besides the reports on the ongoing NATO reforms (command structure reform, agencies reform, and reform of international staff), ministers discussed the Defence Package that will be presented to the Heads of States and Governments on the Summit in Chicago. This package is based on the Alliance’s future necessary capabilities up to and after 2020, arising from the Strategic Concept. Defence package as a base use the concept of Smart Defence, Connected Forces Initiative and NATO Defence Planning Process.

The Ministers commended the progress in building an Interim Ballistic Missile Defence Capability, which with further efforts of individual Allies would have capability which is operationally meaningful, and expressed their confidence that the same would be declared at the Summit.
At a joint session of foreign and defence ministers, on which also attended Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić, the discussion was on the future role of the Alliance in Afghanistan, with special emphasis on post-ISAF period after 2014, and responsibilities in broader efforts for the financial support of the Afghan Security Forces. In the second part of the joint session, ministers discussed the Deterrence and Defence Posture Review, with the focus on appropriate mix of conventional and strategic forces, taking into account global security situation and possible threats.

Foreign ministers will continue the discussion on partnership, with special emphasis on relations with North Africa and the Middle East, meeting in the NATO-Russia Council, with an emphasis on practical cooperation, and meeting with non-NATO countries contributing to the ISAF, with a focus of discussion on the NATO Strategic Plan for Afghanistan, Enduring Partnerships and sustainability of Afghan Security Forces after 2014.