Allies agree to enhance NATO Mission Iraq, discuss Russian missiles and mission in Afghanistan.

NATO Defence Ministers wrapped up two days of discussions in Brussels on 13 February 2020 addressing key issues including NATO’s training mission in Iraq, support for Afghanistan, and the challenge posed by Russia’s missile systems.

NATO Defence Ministers wrapped up two days of discussions in Brussels on 13 February 2020 (Picture source: NATO)

Allied ministers agreed in principle to enhance NATO Mission Iraq. “In the first instance, this will consist of taking on some of the Global Coalition’s current training activities,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He underlined that NATO is in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government. “Our aim is to increase the capacity of the Iraqi armed forces so that they no longer require our support,” he said. Ministers also discussed what more NATO can do to help build stability across the wider Middle East and North Africa.

Allies also addressed the challenge posed by Russia’s missiles, including the SSC-8 system that led to the demise of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. NATO Allies have stood united on Russia’s breach of the Treaty, agreeing on a package of defensive measures to ensure NATO’s deterrence and defense remains credible. As the SSC-8 is only part of Russia’s missile build-up, Allies also discussed other Russian missile systems, conventional and nuclear. “Many are dual capable systems that create a greater risk of escalation and miscalculation,” said the Secretary General.

Ministers also reviewed progress in ensuring fairer burden-sharing across the Alliance. “We have seen an unprecedented increase in defense spending across European Allies and Canada, with an extra 400 billion US dollars invested by the end of 2024,” said the Secretary General. He stressed that this is making NATO stronger.

Afghanistan was also high on the agenda, with a meeting of all nations contributing to NATO’s Resolute Support Mission. NATO remains committed to Afghanistan’s long-term security and stability. “Our focus remains the same: to provide the Afghan security forces with training and financial support, so that they can fight terrorism and create the conditions for peace,” said the Secretary General. He stressed that Allies fully support the efforts led by the United States to achieve a peaceful solution, and continue to coordinate closely on the way forward. “We welcome any steps that can lead to the reduction of violence – the Taliban have to show a real will and a real ability to deliver a reduction of violence on the ground,” he added.

Ministers also discussed cooperation between NATO and the European Union, with High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell attending for the first time in his new position. In the margins of the Ministerial, Allies met with Ukrainian Defence Minister Andriy Zahorodnyiuk to discuss the situation in and around Ukraine, as well as the country’s reform progress. Allies reiterated their full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Besides these NATO statements, let’s notice that the German government decided to extend the participation of its military in the NATO missions in Afghanistan and the Mediterranean Sea, Ulrike Demmer, the deputy government spokeswoman, said on Wednesday, Feb.19. "The Federal government has decided to continue to participate in the Resolute Support Mission, which provides training and support to Afghan security services, as well as in Operation Sea Guardian [in the Mediterranean Sea]," Demmer said at a briefing, adding that the military's mandate within the missions had been extended until March 2021. The number of German troops contributing to the NATO missions would stay the same 1,200 servicemen in Afghanistan, with a possible increase to 1,300, and 250 soldiers in the Sea Guardian, with a possible increase to 650.