From 7 to 9 June 2023, the NATO International Military Staff, hosted 30 military personnel from 19 NATO Partner Nations for its bi-annual Familiarization Programme. The 8-day event, jointly organised by NATO Military Cooperative Security Division and SHAPE’s Partnership Directorate Military Cooperation Division, introduces NATO’s Partnership frameworks, delving into the Alliance’s outreach programmes and activities.
Opening the meeting, the Deputy Director of the Cooperative Security Division, Colonel Juan Martinez-Esparza highlighted the importance of partnerships to NATO.
“Our partnerships extend from Latin America to East Asia, encompassing the Balkans, the Black Sea region, Northern Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indo-Pacific. We are looking to expand our partnership network on a global scale, collaborating with countries that share our values, security interests, and commitment to upholding the Rules-Based International Order. Our objective is to enhance our global awareness, strengthen cooperation, and fortify our collective security and resilience”, he noted in his remarks.
This first module of the Familiarization Programme, held at NATO HQ, allows Partner staff officers to explore NATO’s partnership toolbox. A number of briefings are provided, with a focus on the deliverables for the Vilnius Summit, NATO-EU Relations, NATO’s Role in Counter Terrorism as well as the developments in various existing partnership programmes – specifically, the Planning and Review Process, the Partnership Staff Post programme and the Individually Tailored Partnership Programmes. Additional briefings expanded on the role of the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre and the NATO Standardization Office in supporting Partners. Participants also had the opportunity to discuss existing partnerships with their respective Missions and Delegations to NATO.
Closing the first part of the programme, the Director of the Cooperative Security Division, Lieutenant General Francesco Diella reiterated the value such meetings bring to the Alliance.
“We live in dynamic and critically important times. Every day we face new, more sophisticated threats and challenges to our security and defence”, adding that “NATO Allies and Partners must be ready to act responsively, collectively and intelligently to strengthen and defend our countries and societies against these threats. We are all stronger together”.
The second portion of the programme, run by SHAPE’s Partnership Directorate Military Cooperation Division, will be held from 12 to 16 June 23, in Mons. Partners will participate in more in-depth exchanges covering diverse aspects of NATO-Partner military and defence cooperation.
Source – NATO