On Thursday 12 October, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned that if the damage to underwater infrastructure - a gas pipeline and cable - in the Baltic Sea over the weekend was the result of a “deliberate attack”, it would be a “serious incident” that would “be met by a united and determined response”.
The subject was discussed by the defence ministers of the allied countries on their second day of meetings in Brussels.
Stressing the Allies’ strong solidarity with Estonia and Finland, which are conducting national investigations, Mr Stoltenberg said that NATO and the Allies were sharing information to support this effort. The day before, he had explained that the Alliance was ready to help the two countries with their national investigations. He also pointed out that it was too early to determine the reasons for the damage.
Support for Israel
The ministers were also briefed by their Israeli counterpart “on the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel and on Israel’s ongoing response”, said Mr Stoltenberg. “The Allies strongly condemned Hamas’s indefensible attacks on civilians and called for the immediate release of all hostages”, he stressed.
While recalling Israel’s right to defend itself, and as the conflict continues, the Secretary General warned that “the protection of civilians (was) essential”. “There are rules of war. There are demands for proportionality. And this has been emphasised by many Allies”, said Mr Stoltenberg.
Several allied countries, including the United States, are providing Israel with practical support. The Secretary of State for Defence, Lloyd Austin, made it clear that the Americans had placed “no conditions on the supply of this equipment”. “This a professional army, led by professional leaders, and we would hope and expect that they would do the right things in the pursuit of their campaign”, he explained.
“No nation or organisation hostile to Israel should seek to take advantage of the situation, or to escalate the conflict”, Mr Stoltenberg also warned, citing Hezbollah and Iran and at a time when Israel has bombed targets in Syria, which was due to welcome the Iranian foreign minister on Friday.
Resuming dialogue in the Balkans
The ministers also discussed NATO’s missions around the world. In particular, they discussed the KFOR operation in Kosovo, which has been stepped up in recent weeks to deal with the tensions. “Belgrade and Pristina must behave responsibly, refrain from destabilising actions, and re-engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue. This is the only way to lasting peace in Kosovo”, warned Mr Stoltenberg, who was of the view that the Alliance’s military presence supported the EU’s diplomatic and political efforts.
Terrorism
The Secretary General also announced that he had appointed Assistant Secretary General Tom Goffus as Special Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism. “He will ensure that NATO’s response to terrorism remains strong, effective, and coherent”, he explained.
Nuclear exercise
Finally, Mr Stoltenberg explained that NATO would be holding its annual nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noon, next week. “This is a routine training event that happens every October. This year, the training will take place over Italy, Croatia and the Mediterranean Sea”, he added. According to Mr Stoltenberg, the exercise will help to guarantee the credibility, effectiveness and security of the Allies’ nuclear deterrent. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)