NATO SUB – Social Update Briefing (2021/3)

In the „NATO Social Update Briefing” of the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association of Hungary, we bring you the contemporary news of the Alliance every month.

Women and NATO

Women are vital to a stronger NATO

On International Women’s Day, NATO’s Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană addressed an online panel, Celebrating Inspirational Women during the Professional Women’s Network (PWN) Summit in Romania.

Mr. Mircea Geoană highlighted NATO’s achievements made to date to integrate gender perspectives in all strands of work, from policy and planning, training and education, to missions and operations. Looking ahead, he underlined the vital contribution that women can make to a stronger and more inclusive Alliance. He further noted that NATO’s 2030 initiative and NATO leaders’ upcoming decisions at the 2021 Summit will also help take NATO’s agenda on Women, Peace and Security further. 

Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Mrs. Roberta Metsola, the First Vice-President of the European Parliament participated in this event, which brought together representatives of the Professional Women’s Network across 19 cities in Romania. 

Source: nato.int

Partnerships and conferences

A strong transatlantic bond is the bedrock of Europe’s security

“I believe in North America and Europe together, in NATO, in strategic solidarity. Whatever challenges we face, we are stronger together,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in his speech at the College of Europe in Bruges, highlighting the importance of transatlantic cooperation and strong institutions. Mr. Stoltenberg told students that a strong transatlantic bond is the bedrock of Europe’s security, therefore he believes both in European integration and transatlantic cooperation. “Our Alliance is the only place that brings North America and Europe together every day to discuss common security challenges, to preserve peace and prevent war” he added.

The Secretary General explained to the audience how NATO continues to adapt to address a range of challenges, including Russia’s destabilising behaviour, terrorism, cyber-attacks, disruptive technologies, climate change, and the rise of China. He also outlined the NATO 2030 agenda to prepare the Alliance for the future.

We can achieve more together than alone

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated in the European Union Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Sub-Committee on Security and Defence, on 15 March. He expressed the importance of the cooperation because NATO remains the cornerstone of Europe’s security. He also underlined, “We have a lot in common. And in a more competitive world, we can achieve more together than alone”. Additionally, he called for stepped-up cooperation between the two organisations in key areas, including military mobility, championing new technologies, bolstering resilience, fighting climate change and protecting the rules-based order.

Mutually beneficial partnership between NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina

On 18 March, an international conference on „Euro-Atlantic Processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina” was held by the University of Mostar. NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, talked about further developing relations, that have been present since the early 1990s between the Alliance and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s contributions to the Euro-Atlantic security. 

Mr. Geoană assured that NATO fully supports the efforts the country makes towards building professional armed forces and a democratic security sector through a range of activities of NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo. The Deputy Secretary General named the creation of Joint Armed Forces as one of the most significant achievements in the ongoing cooperation. NATO is committed to create stability in the Western Balkans, thus it encourages Bosnia and Herzegovina to develop legal framework for civil emergencies, improve access to public information and also supports the country with new technologies in cyber defence and security science. 

NATO Foreign Ministers discuss Russia and arms control

Allied foreign ministers met at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 24 March for a discussion on Russia and arms control. They were joined by partner nations Finland and Sweden, as well as the EU High Representative Josep Borrell. “Russia has increased its pattern of repressive behaviour at home and aggressive behaviour abroad,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He stressed that NATO’s dual-track approach to Russia, combining strong deterrence and defence with openness to dialogue, remains valid. He underlined that all Allies welcome the recent decision to extent the New START Treaty and that NATO remains a unique platform for Europe and North America to consult on the future of arms control.

Source: nato.int

Missions

NATO Allies hold simultaneous Baltic Sea, Black Sea drills

NATO conducted military exercises simultaneously over the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea on 3 March ensuring that allied forces remain ready to operate together and respond to any threat.

In separate events, some different types of combat vehicles took apart, including multinational fighter jets, bombers and warships. The participating air force jets equipped anti-ship missiles simulated an attack against a NATO minehunter’s ship. At the event have also participated in a NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft and an Italian KC-767 refuelling aircraft.

 NATO maritime patrol underway in the central Mediterranean

The flagship Hellenic Navy frigate Salamis and the Croatian Navy missile boat Dubrovnik, supported by aircrafts and submarines from Mediterranean NATO members deployed to the Central Mediterranean as part of NATO’s maritime security operation, Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) on 11 March. NATO Operation Sea Guardian is a year-round, proactive and forward-looking 360 commitment of up-keeping deterrence on terrorism and illegal activities. The second OSG Focused Operation for 2021 focuses on the Central Mediterranean, with a planned port visit to Africa. Turkish and Spanish special operations forces support in stand-by under the OSG Special Operations Command and Control Element (SOCCE). With each OSG focused engagement, NATO seeks to further develop our partnerships so that they continue to meet the interests of both Allies and partners. This Operation remains one of the most important tools for NATO projecting stability throughout the Mediterranean Sea and sustaining maritime situational awareness.

Call for applications

NATO launches call for interns for 2022 📣

As an international organisation, NATO is characterised by diversity. People from different backgrounds and cultures, with different work styles and ways of thinking, work here. The Alliance’s Internship Programme offers opportunities to experience this international environment through a variety of fields including communications, finance, human resources, international relations, IT, law and political science.

Applications will be accepted until 2 May 2021.

Although interns can occasionally stay on at NATO after the internship to complete ongoing assignments or take up full-time employment, some move on to other international organisations or national administrations.

To apply or learn more, visit the NATO Internship Programme page: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/71157.htm

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