NATO Foreign Ministers Discuss Defense Spending and Regional Security in Brussels

NATO foreign ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss defense spending, support for Ukraine, and cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners. The meeting follows significant visits to the Western Balkans by the Secretary General, emphasizing NATO’s focus on regional security. Discussions will explore the establishment of a NATO Liaison Office in Jordan to enhance cooperation in the Middle East and detail ongoing support in Iraq.

NATO foreign ministers are set to convene in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to strategize for the forthcoming NATO summit in The Hague, scheduled for the end of June. This meeting will primarily concentrate on bolstering defense spending among member nations, enhancing defense industrial capabilities, continuing support for Ukraine, and improving partnerships with Indo-Pacific allies such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea.

A NATO official indicated that discussions will involve sustaining momentum in increasing defense budgets and restructuring defense production to address current needs. Furthermore, the council will reaffirm its commitment to Ukraine and explore deeper collaboration on mutual interests among NATO and its partners.

These discussions follow two significant visits by NATO Secretary General to the Western Balkans, where he engaged with members of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT). The Secretary General emphasized that the security of the Western Balkans is a priority for NATO, crucial to maintaining regional stability, as confirmed by NATO leaders in a previous summit.

In addition to these discussions, a session involving the NATO-Ukraine Council will occur, featuring Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell. This council session aims to strengthen ties and support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts.

Furthermore, the NATO ministers will engage with foreign representatives from the Indo-Pacific nations and hold discussions with the EU High Representative, reflecting NATO’s commitment to regional security collaboration.

Additionally, a NATO official confirmed the alliance’s awareness of regional instabilities affecting member state security. NATO aims to enhance security and stability in the Middle East and Africa through its partnerships, in line with an action plan adopted at the Washington Summit. A NATO Liaison Office will soon be established in Amman, Jordan, reinforcing NATO’s commitment to Middle Eastern cooperation.

The new liaison office will serve to facilitate dialogue with regional countries and support local security efforts. Moreover, NATO continues to provide assistance in Iraq via its NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI), focusing on developing security capacities.

The NMI is designed to foster sustainable and transparent security institutions in Iraq, ultimately contributing to regional stability and countering terrorism. Expanding its mission, NATO responds to requests from the Iraqi government to include support for the Ministry of Interior and Federal Police Command through advisory and capacity-building initiatives.

In summary, the upcoming NATO foreign ministers’ meeting underscores the alliance’s dedication to enhancing defense spending, supporting Ukraine, and fostering partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, the establishment of a NATO Liaison Office in Jordan reflects a commitment to bolstering security cooperation in the Middle East. NATO’s ongoing mission in Iraq further illustrates its focus on stabilizing the region and combating terrorism, aligning with the strategic interests of member states.

Original Source: www.jordannews.jo