Meetings of NATO Defence Ministers, 15-16 February 2017

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 15-16.02.17
Publication Date 15/02/2017
Content Type

Meetings of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of Defence Ministers were held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on the 15-16 February 2017

The meeting focused on the importance of fair burden-sharing and higher defence spending. Ministers also discussed the fight against terrorism, and threats stemming from the Middle East and North Africa.

It was the first meeting at this level for the new US Defence Secretary James Mattis, who stressed that the new US administration of Donald Trump strongly supported NATO but that all member states of NATO must honour military spending pledges or face the prospect of America 'moderating' its commitment to NATO. 'Americans cannot care more for your children’s future security than you do', he was reported as saying.

Defence Ministers agreed to create a new regional Hub for the South, based at NATO’s Joint Force Command in Naples, on the 15 February 2017). The Hub was one part of the Alliance’s response to threats stemming from the Middle East and North Africa. Ministers also discussed NATO’s Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability and agreed to develop a follow-on capability for NATO AWACS planes after they retire around the year 2035.

Allies agreed on the next steps to modernise the NATO Command Structure and reviewed progress on the deployment of new deterrent forces in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

In a ministerial meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission, Ministers praised Georgia’s defence reforms. NATO Secrertary General Stoltenberg noted that Georgia was making good progress, and NATO would continue to help Georgia advance on its path towards membership.

Source Link http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/events_140742.htm
Related Links
NATO: Newsroom: News, 14.02.17: Secretary General previews meetings of NATO Defence Ministers http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_141015.htm
EurActiv, 14.02.17: Germany to deepen military ties with EU allies http://www.euractiv.com/section/security/news/germany-to-deepen-military-ties-with-eu-allies/
Deutsche Welle, 11.02.17: [Opinion] NATO must become self-sufficient in Europe http://dw.com/p/2XOp8
EurActiv, 15.02.17: Nervous NATO allies seek reassurance from Trump’s defence chief http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/nervous-nato-allies-seek-reassurance-from-trumps-defence-chief/
Politico, 14.02.17: NATO to stress ‘fair burden-sharing’ in Mattis visit http://www.politico.eu/article/nato-stresses-fair-burden-sharing-head-of-mattis-visit/
ESO: Background information: Who Defends Europe? Time to Get Real on Sharing the Burden http://www.europeansources.info/record/who-defends-europe-time-to-get-real-on-sharing-the-burden/
ESO: Background info: Readout of phone call between the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ‎and US President Donald J. Trump http://www.europeansources.info/record/readout-of-phone-call-between-the-nato-secretary-general-jens-stoltenberg-%e2%80%8eand-us-president-donald-j-trump/
The Guardian, 15.02.17: Mattis threatens Nato with reduced US support over defence spending https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/15/nato-bedrock-of-us-defence-policy-says-general-james-mattis-defence-secretary-trump
US: Department of Defense: News, 15.02.17: Mattis Highlights U.S. Commitment to NATO, Warns of 'Arc of Insecurity' https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1084785/mattis-highlights-us-commitment-to-nato-warns-of-arc-of-insecurity
BBC News, 15.02.17: Trump defence chief Mattis threatens less commitment to Nato http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38984947
Politico, 15.02.17: James Mattis gives NATO spending ultimatum http://www.politico.eu/article/james-mattis-gives-nato-spending-ultimatum/
EUObserver, 16.02.17: US urges Europe to spend more on Nato https://euobserver.com/foreign/136930
EurActiv, 16.02.17: US warns NATO: Increase spending or we might ‘moderate’ support http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/us-warns-nato-increase-spending-or-we-might-moderate-support/
Deutsche Welle, 15.02.17: NATO allies must pay more or US will 'moderate its commitment': Mattis http://dw.com/p/2Xcib
Euro|Topics: Debates, February 2017: Should Europe spend more on defence? / How is Trump changing Europe's defence? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/174630/should-europe-spend-more-on-defence
NATO: News, 16.02.17: NATO Defence Ministers take steps to strengthen the Alliance http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_141613.htm
EurActiv, 17.02.17: Juncker: Europe must not bow to Trump’s demands on NATO http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/juncker-europe-must-not-bow-to-trumps-demands-on-nato/
Deutsche Welle, 17.02.17: Guehenno: Europe should up defense spending, US should offer more than statements http://dw.com/p/2Xm9N
Euro|Topics: Debates, February 2017: Pence promises solidarity with Nato allies http://www.eurotopics.net/en/174714/pence-promises-solidarity-with-nato-allies

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