US-Europe World Affairs

Interview with NATO Deputy Spokesperson, the Hon. Mr. Piers Cazalet

Sir,  it is a great  Honor to have you in this interview. Thank you very much indeed for accepting it.

Q 1:  With respect to NATO 2030, can you discuss the key elements identified and expounded in the meetings of the Defense Ministers at NATO Headquarters, 17-18 February 2021?

NATO Deputy Spokesperson, Mr. Piers Cazalet: Thank you for this opportunity to speak to U.S Europe World Affairs. The meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in February was the first with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. It represented an important milestone in our preparations for our summit later this year.

As for the NATO 2030 initiative launched by Secretary General Stoltenberg, it is informed by two fundamental premises. First: in the current historical juncture we have a unique opportunity to open a new chapter in relations between Europe and North America. Second: the number and scope of global challenges are such that no country and no continent can tackle them alone. Ultimately, the goal of the NATO 2030 initiative is to make NATO fit for the future.

Under the NATO 2030 initiative, Secretary General Stoltenberg has put forward a number of ambitious proposals. They cover key areas.

Washington DC, March 21, 2017 © US Mission to NATO

“But I just also want to say thanks to you personally for your leadership, for the moral example that you set.  NATO, under you, is evolving to defend against aggression and respond to terrorist threats along the southern flank in the Mediterranean and the Turkish border.  
I look forward to engaging with the coalition members who are here this week on the counter-ISIS fight.  And I’m confident that NATO will, as always, be one of the leaders as we deal with this threat.” Highlighted Defense Secretary Mattis during his meeting with the NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg at the Pentagon. March 21, 2017 © DoD Press Office

 Vice President Mike Pence and NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg meeting at NATO Headquarters Brussels. February 20, 2017© NATO

Excerpts from the remarks by Vice President Mike Pence in the press conference with NATO Secretary General:

“It is my privilege here at the NATO Headquarters to express the strong support of President Trump and the United States of America for NATO and our transatlantic alliance. ”

“The United States has been a proud and faithful member of NATO since its founding in 1949.  This alliance plays a crucial role in promoting peace and prosperity in the North Atlantic and, frankly, in the entire world.”   

“The United States’ commitment to NATO is clear. ”  February 20, 2017 © The White House

Excerpts from the remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during press conference with Vice President Pence:

“The bond between the United States and NATO — between the United States and Europe embodied in the NATO alliance is very important today because we live in times of turmoil and instability, and then we need a strong alliance more than ever.  And we are stronger when we stand together.”

“This will be an important point when allied leaders meet here in Brussels in May.  So, Mr. Vice President, thank you for our excellent discussion.  We agree that NATO is the most successful alliance in history because NATO has been able to adapt and change when the world is changing.  And we agree that we must continue to change to keep our people safe.  U.S. leadership remains indispensable.  So I really look forward to working with you and to welcoming President Trump in Brussels in May.”  February 20, 2017 © The White House

On the same day Vice President Pence met with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, and with the President of European Council Donald Tusk

Excerpts from the remarks by President of the European Council Donald Tusk following meeting with Vice President Pence: 

“I asked the Vice President directly if he shared my opinions on three key matters: international order, security, and the attitude of the new American administration towards the European Union.”

“In reply to these three methods, I heard today from Vice President Pence three times, yes. After such a positive declaration, both Europeans and Americans must simply practice what they preach.” 

“Referring to some statements made in Munich just two days ago, I would like to say clearly that the reports of the death of the West have been greatly exaggerated.  Whoever wants to demolish that order, anticipating a post-West order must know that in its defense we remain determined.” Belgium February 20, 2017 © The White House

Excerpts of the remarks by Vice President Mike Pence following meeting with President of EU Council Donald Tusk:

“But the President did ask me to come here to Brussels, to the home of the European Union, and deliver an additional message.  And so today it is my privilege on behalf of President Trump to express the strong commitment of the United States to continued cooperation and partnership with the European Union.”  

“Whatever our differences, our two continents share the same heritage, the same values, and above all, the same purpose:  to promote peace and prosperity through freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.  And to those objectives we will remain committed.”  Belgium February 20, 2017 ©The White House        

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By Catherine Stella Schmidt 

“The United States is absolutely committed to the defense of NATO, and that means having full-spectrum capabilities not only within U.S. forces, but with NATO and partner nations as well.” highlighted the U.S Department of Defense in the news-article on December 13,2016.

While Military capabilities are known by the number of the troops and Military personnel –Power and Defense assurance are projected by advanced equipment, technology, the best training that could execute the required strategies, command and tactics in the theater fields.

The U.S Amy Europe and its 7th Army Training Command in Germany, has been the main center to build the NATO members’ Armed-Forces by regular training that to maximize the interoperability;              the multinational exercise,  joint maneuvers, the exchange of ideas and commands — aimed all to fortify the U.S-European Armed-Forces and bolster the NATO members’  Military to the higher capabilities of Physical  and  Cyber Defense. 

In early 2016 the United States has announced also the increase of the budget for NATO in the European Reassurance Initiative plan, as a further demonstrations of U.S commitment to safeguard European Freedom, Peace and Security. 

NATO Foreign Ministers meetings, December 6-7 in Brussels, were concluded with the strategic focus on strengthening Transatlantic cooperation and projecting Stability Beyond Borders.

Described by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini,  EU and NATO start new era of cooperation  in 7 areas with the agreement on 42 proposals.  

The areas of focus for more closer cooperation will be on the crucial strategic Defense and Security fields including: Operational Cooperation, Cyber Defense, Maritime Security, Defense Capabilities, Defense Industry/Research, Military Training and Exercise. 

On his statement Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg  highlighted:                                                                                   “One way of strengthening the bond between North America and Europe is by strengthening the cooperation between NATO and EU. And we have a momentum now when it comes to NATO-EU cooperation. In July, I signed a Joint Declaration with Presidents Tusk and Juncker and at the meeting today we will decide how we turn that declaration into concrete action.”  Dec 6, 2016 ©NATO

1. Additional: Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the  press conference,  Dec 6 
2. Remarks by the High Representative Federica Mogherini at the joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Dec 6 2016

• News from Albanian Mission to NATO             News from Austrian Mission to NATO      
• News from Belgium Mission to NATO              News from Canadian Mission to NATO
• News from Estonian Mission to NATO               News from Finland Mission to NATO   

• News from French Mission to NATO              News from German Mission to NATO
• News from Denmark Mission to NATO           News from Greek Mission to NATO
• News from Iceland Mission to NATO               News from Hungarian Mission to NATO
• News from Italian Mission to NATO                        News from Czech Mission to NATO 

• News from Luxembourg Mission to NATO       News from Ukrain Mision to NATO

• News from Lithuanian Mission to NATO                 News from Latvian Mission to NATO
• News from the Netherlands Mission to NATO      News from Polish Mission to NATO
• News from Norwegian Mission to NATO       News from Romanian Mission to NATO    
• News from Sweden Mission to NATO                    News from Spanish Mission to NATO     
•  News from UK Mission to NATO                        News from US Mission to NATO
• News from NATO                                                         News from EU External Affairs    

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Sources: U.S Mission NATO/NATO Public Affairs

By Catherine Stella Schmidt 

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited UK on November 23 and met with Prime Minister May and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon. Among other important subjects, the leaders of UK and NATO discussed on the importance of all NATO members to increase their Defence spending, NATO’s cyber capabilities, and how to adapt to the new security environment and counter the emerging threats.  The Secretary General praised UK for its enduring commitments both financially and by contributing troops by stating:                                                     “UK is a strong ally at the heart of NATO”

Prime Minister May and Secretary General Stoltenberg during their meeting.  London November 23, 2016 © NATO Public Affairs

The  spokesperson of PM Office highlighted:

  “The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for NATO and said we will remain a cornerstone of the Alliance.”

 “The two leaders also discussed the recent US election and the importance of the transatlantic bond to security.  Secretary General Stoltenberg relayed his recent conversation with President-elect Donald Trump, in which they had agreed on the enduring importance of NATO. ”   Nov 23, 2016 © PM May’s Office                                   

1. Additional: NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg statements during his visit to UK 
2.  NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s speech  at the Oxford Union

News from  PM Theresa May                      News from Secretary General Stoltenberg      

News from UK Foreign Office                                                    News from UK Armed Forces
     News from PM Tony Blair International organisation 

Sources: PM May’s office/NATO Public Affairs

With the Military and official representatives from both sides, the NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) in Székesfehérvár- Hungary has been inaugurated on November 18th.                                                                  NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) is part of Allied collective defence to facilitate the rapid deployment of NATO Forces, currently with  6 headquarters based in: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania.  Hungary and Slovakia jointed NFIU in 2016. 

November 21, 2016 © US Mission to NATO 

Attending the inauguration ceremony the Representative of NATO Secretary General Mr. Herold expressed his gratitude to Hungary for the vital role and contributions that has been providing to Alliance Security.  

News  from PM Viktor Orbán                           News from Hungarians Mission to NATO                      News from MFA of Hungary                

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President Sauli Niinistö visit to NATO headquarters on November 9th– was a new step forward to strengthen NATO-Finland relations.  

 Described by Secretary General Stoltenberg the new measures will be the expansion in the fields of:

• Information exchanges on hybrid warfare,
• Coordinating exercises,
• Developing joint situational awareness.

President Sauli Niinistö of the Republic of Finland during  his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.  NATO headquarters, Brussels, November 9, 2016 © NATO

On the importance of Finland in NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg  stated: 

“This is of great importance both for Finland and for NATO because we share the same values and we face the same security challenges.  NATO and Finnish troops have worked side by side as I said in many different operations and missions.   And we have been able to develop a very close partnership on a range of different issues including planning for civil emergencies, and security in the Baltic Sea region.                                                                                                                                                                         We are now expanding our cooperation when it comes to information exchanges on hybrid warfare, coordinating exercises, and developing joint situational awareness.  All of this will allow Finland and NATO to address common threats more effectively.”  November 9, 2016 © NATO

1. Additional: Joint press  point of NATO Secretary General with Presidnet Sauli Niinistö of the Republic of Finland
2. Finland and the United States advancing Partnership in Crisis Management and Defence

News from Secretary General Stoltenberg           News form Finland Mission to NATO

• News from Finland MFA                                                 News from Finland  MoD   
• News from Finland Embassy in the U.S           News from  the U.S Embassy in Finland

In his official visit to Berlin yesterday, President Obama reassured Germany and Europe that the change of administration will not change the United States’ enduring relation with Europe and will have no affect on the U.S commitment to NATO.

The World in the uncharted realm…. conflicts …..and mayhem,  yet it will be necessary to maintain a strong Transatlantic Relations at Defense and Security, Political, Economic -Trade and all other aspects.

Exercise Silver Arrow is a two-week Latvian-led exercise starting from October 17.  The participant Armed-Forces are from: Albania, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, UK and the United States.

“The Exercise is to develop relationships and leverage Allied and partner nation capabilities preserving peace through strength. And it is part of  Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. lead effort being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.” Highlighted by the DVIDS October 17, 2016 

October 18, 2016 © US Mission to NATO

• News from Albanian Mission to NATO                  News from Canadian Mission to NATO
• News from Estonian Mission to NATO                   News from German Mission to NATO
• News from Lithuanian Mission to NATO                 News from Latvian Mission to NATO

• News from the Netherlands Mission to NATO
• News from Romanian Mission to NATO                        News from UK Mission to NATO
•  News from U.S Army Europe                                                                             News from NATO

Sources: DoD/ U.S Mission NATO/U.S Army Europe

Joint Declaration by the President of the European Council,  the President of the European Commission, and the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

October 10, 2016 © US Mission to NATO

September 20, 2016 © DK mission to NATO

In its recent deployment to Mediterranean Sea as a part of Standing NATO Maritime Group-2, its tasks among others will include:

• Support for NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour
• Participation in the exercise Joint Warrior of the coast of Scotland as well as continuous co-training with the other ships in SNMG 2 to increase the maritime operational cooperability in the Alliance
• Gathering and providing information/ intelligence to NATO’s maritime situational awareness in the Mediterranean Sea
• To establish NATO-presence and being part of routine Diplomatic visits.  Described by the Denmark’s mission to NATO. September 28 2016 

Since August 2010 the Royal Danish Navy has been vital part of  NATO Operation Oceans Shield.  Its participation has been by troops, military aircraft and vessels including:

• Frigate Iver Huitfeldt with the required crew and helicopter from October to December 2013
• Support Ship Esbern Snare Iver with the crew from June to December 2014
• Surveillance aircraft of the type Challenger from September to November 2014 

Earlier this month on September 12, Danish Vessel HDMS Absalon has rejoined the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean Sea. This is not the first time that the support Ship Absalon has been deployed for the NATO Operation–the Vessel has been also before part of NATO Oceans Shield in 2010.

The Danish ship HDMS ABSALON  in NATO  Counter-Piracy Operation Ocean Shield, October 2015 © NATO’s Counter-Piracy Operation Ocean Shield     

News from Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Denmark
News from Danish Mission to NATO

On July 14, Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen visited Danish Troops stationed in Afghanistan in the NATO Mission. Minister Jensen highlighted the occasion of his visit had been, first of all to say thank you to all Danish Troops serving in the NATO  Resolute Support.  And also to assess the situation in Afghanistan directly.

Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen with the  Danish Troops in NATO Resolute Support in Afghanistan. July 14, 2016 © MFA of Denmark 

The United Kingdom presented NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael ad St. George (KCMG)

The award was a recognition for the outstanding achievements of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen during his term at the office between 2009-2014.

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Rt Hon Philip Hammond with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in the official award ceremony. 17 Nov. 2015  ©UK Foreign Office

The Foreign Secretary Rt Hon Philip Hammond presented the Honorary KCMG award from the UK Foreign office to former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and elaborated:  

“The 2014 Wales Summit took place at a time of significant geopolitical challenge. Under Mr Rasmussen’s leadership the Alliance set out an ambitious response, whilst maintaining unity throughout. The achievements of the Wales Summit included a new rapid reaction capability to respond to any threat, as well as an unprecedented agreement by Heads of Government to halt the decline in defence investment. His efforts included the modernisation of NATO to ensure an Alliance fit for purpose to counter 21st century threats, including in Cyber and Hybrid Warfare.   Ahead of the Warsaw Summit in July next year, the UK will continue to play a leading role to ensure implementation of Wales Summit commitments, including strengthening collective Defence. With a budget of £34 billion, the UK is the largest European contributor to NATO. Earlier this year, this government announced its commitment to meet the NATO guideline of spending 2% of GDP on Defence for the rest of the decade.” ©UK Foreign Office

The NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, on the occasion of the award ceremony, expressed:  

“I am deeply honoured to be appointed as an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael ad St. George (KCMG). This award will further strengthen my ties to the British people. Let me take this opportunity to thank the UK for its invaluable contribution to the promotion of Freedom and Peace in the World. The United Kingdom is a staunch NATO ally and a bedrock of the Transatlantic Security Cooperation between Europe and the United States.  I would like to extend a special thanks to the British service men and women in gratitude for their tireless efforts to make the world a safer and better place to live.” ©UK Foreign Office

On October 1st, the HDMS ABSALON of Royal Danish Navy joined NATO Counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield. The Operation is to keep the region safe from the threats of piracy and to maintain the Maritime Security at all level.

The Royal Navy Ship will visit the port of the Mediterranean Dialogue Partner Nations and meet with the high level Military Leaders including the Royal Jordanian Naval Force.