US-Europe World Affairs

 In an official visit to the United States, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with President  Obama. He met also with Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, Secretary of State John Kerry and National Security advisor Susan Rice.  

The meeting covers discussion on range of Security issues  that are posing challenges to the U.S and Europe in the same way. The Secretary General express his gratitude to President Obama for his Leadership and the United States crucial contribution through the European Reassurance Initiative.

President Obama and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during the meeting at the White House. Washington DC April 4, 2016© NATO

 “NATO is as important as ever, because NATO has been able to adapt to a more dangerous World.”  emphasized Secretary General Stoltenberg 

The Secretary General visited, on his second day, Fort Bragg in North Carolina and met with the U.S Service Personnel. During this visit he was briefed on the U.S Global Response Force which works in deployment with NATO’s High-Readiness Spearhead Force under European Allies Command.

     NATO Secretary General visiting Fort Bragg North Carolina April 5, 2016© NATO

The Secretary General thanked the U.S Armed-Forces for their outstanding Service and contribution to NATO.

Related documents: European Reassurance Initiative and Other U.S. Efforts in Support of NATO Allies and Partners

EUCOM announces European Reassurance Initiative implementation plan, by US European Command

Follow news from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

News from US Air Forces Europe and Africa

The United States and Norway signed a Memorandum on Nuclear non-proliferation cooperation and Nuclear Security. The occasion was during the week of  The Nuclear Security Summit 2016 in the U.S

The Norway’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Kare R. Aas, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Countryman. Washington DC March 31, 2106 © The Royal Norwegian Embassy in the U.S  

“Norway and the U.S have a long history of cooperating on Nuclear non-proliferation. The Memorandum of Understanding we have now signed in the margins of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC will in practice strengthen ongoing Norwegian efforts to assist Ukraine in securing its radioactive material and preventing it from falling into the wrong hands,” elaborated Prime Minister Erna Solberg. April 1, 2016 © MFA of Norway

The Announcement by the U.S Department of State March 31, 2016:  The United States and Norway Sign a Memorandum of Understanding to Support Cooperation on Nuclear Material Security and Counter Nuclear Smuggling.

Follow more news from the Department of State

News from Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The United States hosted the Fourth Nuclear Security Summit  in Washington, D.C, on March 31  and April 1, 2016.

Official documents:  The Progress Report – 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, by the White House

The United States and the European Commission share a commitment to minimizing the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) in civilian applications.

The 2016 Action Plans                                                   

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Follow news from  The U.S Department of State

On March 23 the German Navy took over the Command Force of the Operation Atalanta which was previously under the Command of Italian Navy. Operation Atalanta Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Jonas Wikstrӧm of Swedish Navy (centre), Rear Admiral Stefano Barbieri of Italian Navy (left) and the Force Commander Rear Admiral Kaack of die Bundeswehr (right) March 23, 2016 ©EU Naval Force

By Catherine Stella Schmidt

Following the result of the unanimous vote by the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security Co-operation in Europe ‘OSCE’  in December 2014, the Federal Republic of Germany was elected for the second time for the Chairmanship of 2016.

‘Renewing Dialogue, Rebuilding Trust, Restoring Security’ are the main  concepts of Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship in 2016.

 

Highlighted by the Federal Foreign Office Germany’s objectives for this term will be to enhance the following areas:

•Continuing conflict-crisis management in and around Ukraine and in the other unresolved conflicts in the OSCE area;
•Strengthening the OSCE’s capabilities in the entire conflict cycle, i.e. early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post‑conflict Peacebuilding;
•Strengthening the OSCE as a platform for dialogue, for instance on questions of pan‑European security, confidence‑ and security-building measures and Defence against common threats;
•Sustainable promotion of connectivity and good Governance in the OSCE area;
•And focus on the Human dimension to safeguard joint commitments regarding Human Rights and the fundamental Freedom.  2016 ©Federal Foreign Office

The Permanent Diplomatic Mission of Germany to the OSCE is in Vienna. And Federal Foreign Minister Dr.Frank-Walter Steinmeier  leads the OSCE as The Chairperson-in-Office.

 

Related document: Berlin OSCE Cyber conference looks to reduce the risk of Cyber Conflict, by Federal Foreign Office
More news on Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship 2016 

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark has allocated new aid to United Nation agency UNMAS  to help Mine Action Response.  

“This contribution  reflects our strong and consistent support for the United Nations in its delivery and coordination of mine action. Mine action is a vital component of humanitarian response in conflict and post-conflict settings for protection of civilians and safe access for other humanitarian actors. We call upon others to follow our lead and increase support to mine action to  protect the civilians who are bearing the brunt of protracted armed conflict in many countries.”stated Kristian Jensen, Minister for Foreign Affairs. March 7, 2016 ©MFA Denmark/ UNMAS