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Informal Defence Ministerial meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia

23 Oct 2009
Incheba ExpoInformal NATO Defence Ministerial meetings commenced early this morning at the Incheba Expo Center in Bratislava, Slovak Republic. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Admiral James G. Stavridis, participated working sessions focused on Afghanistan, missile defense and military transformation.

Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, reported that the Defense Ministers generally shared the view that the international community has to invest in strengthening Afghan capacity to fight their own fight. The ministers also generally shared the view on the need to invest in transition and planning towards progressively handing over lead security responsibility to the Afghan Army and Afghan Police. On missile defence, the Ministers welcomed the fact the new US approach puts European missile defence more in a NATO context. The discussions on military transition centered on the need to get more capability for the money NATO spends on defence.
Admiral Stavridis and Ambassador Lawrence Butler, Political Advisor to SACEUR, meet with Hon Dr. Wayne Mapp, New Zealand Minister of Defense and LTG Jerry Mateparae, New Zealand Chief of Defense to discuss issues of muteral interest at the MoD meeting in Bratislava
Admiral Stavridis and Pieter De Crem, Belgium Minister of Defense at the Informal MoD Meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Admiral Stavridis, SACEUR and Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee at the MoD meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia.

from the left: Admiral Stavridis, Rear Admiral Foggo and the Slovakian Liason Officer head to the working lunch during the Defense Ministerial in Bratislava, Slovakia