The chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Stefan Danila, participated in the first 2013 meeting of the Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence format of NATO members and Partner countries, over 16 and 17 January.

Before the meeting, the CHODS had an informal meeting with NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

The first session of the 168th NATO Chiefs of Defence meeting will begin with the CHODS from the Mediterranean Dialogue partner countries. NATO members and Partners were briefed on the current situation and progress in Afghanistan. The Military Committee will be updated on the development of the planning for the post 2014 mission to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces. The CHODS reaffirmed their commitment to support the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force in achieving a successful transition of security to the Afghan forces over the next 2 years. They also discussed the potential scope and challenges for the new mission and agreed to stay committed to training, advising and assisting the Afghan forces also after 2014.

'The Military Committee is fully aware of the need to stay focused on our current operation, while at the same time planning for the new mission,' General Knud Bartels, Chairman of NATO`s Military Committee, commented. 'Details on how we will conduct the post 2014 mission have not yet been finalised, but they will be discussed intensively over the coming weeks.'
By the end of the first working session, the Military Committee in NATO-Russia Council format agreed on an ambitious programme of work for cooperation in 2013. They also recognised the tangible benefits achieved in 2012, particularly on counter-piracy.

In the Euro Atlantic Partners session, nations focused on specific working areas related to increasing transparency and developing mutually supporting capabilities.

During the second day of the meeting, the Military Committee reviewed the progress of the NATO Mission in Kosovo reiterating their commitment to ensure the necessary force structure to fulfill the mission.

NATO Military Committee concluded their meetings with a session on transformation, Allies recognised that the Connected Forces Initiative should be a priority given current operational and economic challenges, and agreed on bringing this initiative to the top of their agenda for future Military Committee meetings.

Delivering his final remarks, General Bartels concluded: 'Revitalizing the NATO Response Force will be crucial to this endeavour... I believe the NATO Response Force is the perfect platform to develop common doctrines and bring transformation forward.'

MoND Press Office