Today's Edition
BRUSSELS (ALETIIHAD)
The meeting of NATO ministers of foreign affairs will kick off Tuesday in Brussels, with the agenda prioritising support for Ukraine and strengthening partnerships with allies and regional partners, including those in the Middle East.
While the conflict in Ukraine remains a central focus, the discussions will extend to developments in Georgia and Moldova, as well as heightened tensions in the Middle East.
A senior NATO official, speaking during a pre-summit briefing, highlighted the alliance’s intent to deepen engagement with Middle Eastern partners.
“Enhancing partnerships with partners and allies in the Middle East will be one of the topics on the meeting’s agenda,” the official said.
This commitment was recently illustrated by NATO’s appointment of a special representative for the southern neighbourhood. The role, the official explained, reflects the alliance’s growing strategic interest in the region, which continues to experience dynamic changes that carry implications for global stability.
In this context, NATO is seeking to strengthen ties with members and allies of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), a framework established in 2004 to promote security cooperation with Gulf states, the senior NATO official added.
The initiative, which includes the UAE and three other Gulf countries, aims to contribute to long-term global and regional security by offering non-member countries in the broader Middle East region the opportunity to cooperate with NATO. The official also disclosed that high-level NATO delegations would visit the region in the near future to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation.
Held at NATO headquarters in Brussels, the meetings will include several sessions, with Jordan’s King Abdullah II expected to participate in one addressing the Middle East crisis and NATO’s cooperation with Jordan.
Another session will centre on NATO’s support for Ukraine, with a focus on the NATO-Ukraine Council and the alliance's efforts to address threats to the Euro-Atlantic region, as well as escalating tensions in neighbouring areas.
