14/04/2011

NATO Foreign Ministers Meet In Berlin

Over the next two days, Foreign Secretary William Hague is meeting with Foreign Ministers from the 27 other NATO countries and over 20 partner countries in Berlin.

The UK and NATO are working with a broad range of partners to confront security challenges. The meetings in Berlin will provide an opportunity for discussions with NATO Allies and partners who are protecting civilians in Libya and contributing to ISAF in Afghanistan, and to continue constructive dialogue with Russia, Georgia and Ukraine.

Today included a meeting with Libya operational partners (including the non-NATO countries of Qatar, Sweden, Ukraine, UAE, Jordan and Morocco) and a meeting of the 48 ISAF nations to discuss the NATO-led operation in Afghanistan. Meetings of the NATO-Georgia Commission, NATO-Ukraine Commission and the NATO-Russia Council will take place tomorrow.

Meetings of the 28 NATO countries over the two days are expected to discuss NATO’s partnerships, missile defence and how to further improve EU-NATO relations.

This is the first meeting since the new NATO Strategic Concept was launched at the Lisbon Summit in November 2010.

(BMcN/GK)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 September 2008
UK Backs NATO Transformation Plans
NATO's Defence Ministers are meeting in London today to discuss how to deliver a more efficient and effective NATO. Ministers will talk about how NATO can produce quicker response forces and more mobile capabilities.
01 December 2003
Britain takes lead role in Nato's chemical defence unit
Britain is to take on a leading role in a new multinational Nato battalion designed to respond to attacks from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons.
31 March 2004
UK welcomes seven new countries to Nato alliance
The Foreign Office is hosting a reception today to welcome the accession of seven new member states to Nato. Ambassadors and defence attaches from the seven states - Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia – will attend the reception, along with UK parliamentarians and government and military officials.
02 December 2004
EU takes over Bosnian peacekeeping role from Nato
The European Union has taken over control of peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina today (December 2), the largest mission the Union has ever embarked upon.
05 January 2004
Lord Robertson steps down as Nato chief
The new Secretary General of Nato has officially taken up his duties today, taking over from former British Defence Secretary Lord Robertson.