NATO Defence Ministers will meet in Brussels on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 October for a packed agenda.
They should in particular agree on the objectives to be achieved in terms of land, sea, and cyber capabilities, explained the Secretary General of the Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, presenting the programme of the meeting.
The Alliance will also launch its Innovation Fund. This fund is expected to invest €1 billion, and it will support the development of emerging and disruptive dual-use technologies in areas critical to Allied security.
The ministers should also agree on the first-ever strategy on artificial intelligence “to integrate it into areas such as data analysis, imaging, and cyber defence and to set out principles for its safe and responsible use in accordance with international law”, according to Mr Stoltenberg.
Russia. The meeting is also expected to discuss relations with Russia, following Moscow’s announcement on 18 October of the closure of its mission to NATO and the Alliance’s offices in Russia (see EUROPE 12814/26). “We regret this decision which does not promote dialogue and mutual understanding. [...] We remain open to dialogue, including in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council”, the Secretary General reacted, adding that the offer of such a council was still on the table. “Relations between NATO and Russia are now at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War. For us, this is not an argument against dialogue”, Mr Stoltenberg opined.
“At the same time, we will continue to assess how we can further strengthen our deterrence and defence”, he warned. In particular, the Allies will review progress in their response to the challenge posed by Russia’s nuclear-capable missile systems. They will also meet in the Nuclear Planning Group to discuss “how to maintain the safety, security, and effectiveness of our nuclear deterrent while remaining committed to arms control”.
Afghanistan. A few weeks after the withdrawal of their troops from Afghanistan, the ministers will discuss the situation in the country and “how we can ensure that terrorists cannot use this country as a safe haven”, Mr Stoltenberg explained.
He said the Allies would hold the Taliban accountable for their commitments to counter-terrorism, human rights, and safe passage and that the international community had economic and diplomatic leverage over them. He said the return of the Taliban was a “tragedy for the Afghans”. “The Allies are very concerned about developments in Afghanistan, especially with regard to women’s rights”, highlighted Mr Stoltenberg. He also warned that “the Allies have the means to hit terrorist threats from afar”.
As announced, NATO has launched an evaluation of its work in the country and Defence Ministers should engage in the lessons learned process for the first time, according to Mr Stoltenberg, but he said it was too early to draw conclusions.
European Union. On Friday, joined by their Finnish and Swedish counterparts and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, the ministers will take stock of cooperation between the Alliance and the EU, while a new joint declaration is expected by the end of the year. “We will discuss what more we can do together in an era of global competition”, said Mr Stoltenberg.
In addition, a meeting of the anti-Daesh coalition will be held on the margins of the NATO ministerial. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)