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NATO is a strong and effective Alliance

18.06.2020

Minister Mariusz Błaszczak participates in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council, which on 17 and 18 June 2020 is chaired by NATO Secretary General Jens Stolteneberg.

DefMin_June 2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, NATO defence ministers hold two-day talks in the form of remote video conferencing.

On the first day, during a meeting on NATO deterrence and defence, defence ministers agreed to take specific action to further ensure security for alliance member states.

Ministers discussed NATO requirements regarding the resilience of individual member states to known and emerging new threats. They concerned critical sectors such as energy, transport, telecommunications. The heads of defence ministries agreed on updated requirements strengthening the resilience of states to threats.

Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak together with his counterparts discussed the consequences for international security resulting from the growing arsenal of Russian missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The purpose of talks between defence ministers was to create a significant and balanced package of political and military measures in response to, among others deployment of the SSC-8 missile system by Russia and the demise of the INF treaty in 2019, or Russia's continuing modernization of its missile capabilities, including hypersonic weapons. Ministers assessed Russia's actions as destabilizing and dangerous, hence they agreed on a balanced package of political and military measures as a response to these threats. It includes the strengthening of NATO's integrated anti-aircraft and missile defence, including the acquisition of new defence systems, such as Patriot and SAMP / T batteries, and the strengthening of advanced conventional defence capabilities, such as the implementation of fifth-generation aircraft.

The head of the Ministry of National Defence took part in the meeting of the Nuclear Planning Group, which aims to prepare NATO's response to nuclear weapons threats. It was decided that the North Atlantic Alliance would not reflect Russia's destabilizing behaviour. According to ministers participating in the North Atlantic Council, China, as a growing military power, should also take part in global arms control.

NATO remains strongly committed to effective arms control and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. These processes are a key contribution to global security. Ministers called on all international actors, including Russia and China, to engage constructively in this domain.

Minister Mariusz Błaszczak also participated in the North Atlantic Council session on the NATO mission in Afghanistan and in Iraq. In Afghanistan, the alliance will continue to adapt its presence to support the peace process.

While discussing the security situation in Iraq, ministers underlined their commitment to strengthening NATO's training mission in full coordination with the Iraqi government and the global coalition.

Minister Mariusz Błaszczak and defence ministers of NATO countries while summarizing the talks on June 17 and discussing the global security situation in the 2030 perspective, supported the need to keep the North Atlantic Alliance strong both militarily and politically.

 

Ministry of National Defence

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