Minister of National Defence, Teodor Atanasiu will participate in NATO Defence Ministers Informal Reunion, February 9 and 10 in Taormina, Italy under the presidency of NATO General Secretary, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

The conference will be on two working sessions: on the Alliance's process of transformation and ISAF operation in Afghanistan and training of the Iraqi forces of security.

In Taormina will occur a reunion within NATO Council-Russia and a meeting of the Mediterranean Dialogue members. Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia are members of the Mediterranean Dialogue.

The Defence Ministers Reunion will grant the framework for debating the possible issues for the next NATO Summit organized in Riga, this autumn.

MoND Press Office