On 8 June 2022, the Cooperative Security Division of the NATO International Military Staff (IMS) hosted its Bi-Annual Meeting with Partners. Representatives from over 30 Partner Nations attended informal workshops to discuss areas of common interest, such as interoperability, maritime security as well as energy security.
Opening the meeting, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană highlighted the importance of partnerships as a fundamental pillar of the Alliance’s strength, especially in the current security environment. “By building robust dialogue and cooperation with partners, we can shape the strategic landscape for the better, strengthen our security and defend our values in a more competitive and challenging world, and defend the rules-based international order”, he added.
Major General Francesco Diella, Director of the Cooperative Security Division, then took the floor to deliver additional remarks and introduce the day’s programme and discussion topics. “From building trust, to capacity building, to interoperability, and, possibly, membership – every level of partner engagement and ambition represents a unique opportunity for mutually beneficial engagement. The common point and a key aspect of our partnerships is focusing efforts on the cooperation areas where NATO and partner interests most closely align,” he explained.
After the different workshops, participants, including IS and IMS staff as well as Partner Military Representatives were invited to a question/answer session and a summary conclusion chaired by the Director General of the IMS, Lieutenant General Hans-Werner Wiermann. “Building on the success and feedback we received from the first edition, we improved the format of today’s meeting to enable a greater exchange of ideas, be more productive and enhance dialogue. As a result, today’s discussions have been more forward-thinking, forward-leaning and forward-looking than expected. Such exchanges can only strengthen our partnerships”, concluded Lieutenant General Wiermann. He closed the meeting by thanking participants for attending the event and for their invaluable contributions.
At the initiative of the NATO IMS, and under the auspices of its Cooperative Security Division, this meeting will be held bi-annually and provide an informal setting for a constructive dialogue on partnerships, military cooperation and other relevant topics.