NATO Secretary General discusses current security challenges with President Erdogan

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had a phone call with the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the President’s request, on Thursday (14 May 2020). They discussed NATO’s ongoing efforts to support Allies in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary General commended Turkey for its support with medical equipment to other Allies and partners, in response to requests made through NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre. 

Additional details at https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_175793.htm?selectedLocale=en

The NATO Chiefs of Defence hold first virtual meeting in NATO Military Committee history

On 14 May 2020, for the first time in history, the NATO Military Committee including the most recent NATO Ally the Republic of North Macedonia, held a virtual meeting in Chiefs of Defence format. They discussed the Alliance’s ongoing missions and operations, future planning and requirements as well as the current global Covid-19 crisis, its impact on allied activities and NATO’s support to the response efforts. 

Additional details at https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_175792.htm?selectedLocale=en

United States transports aid in Italy using NATO’s Rapid Air Mobility initiative

A United States Air Force Super Hercules C-130J transported medical and other relief supplies between Milan and Rome on Wednesday (13 May 2020), helping Italy with its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The operation helped redistribute more than 15,000 kilograms of supplies, including KN-95 masks, surgical gowns and COVID-19 test kits between Italian distribution hubs. The flight from the US 86th Airlift Wing out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is the first in a planned series of US Air Forces mobility support operations to Italy. 

Additional details at https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_175784.htm?selectedLocale=en

NATO Secretary General thanks Slovenia for support in COVID-19 fight

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked Prime Minister Janez Janša for Slovenia’s solidarity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in a call on Thursday (14 May 2020). Slovenia has given assistance to help NATO Allies and partners deal with the pandemic, including medical protective equipment for North Macedonia, and other supplies for Bosnia and Herzegovina. NATO Allies have also met Slovenia’s request for assistance in transporting protective and medical equipment. 

Additional details at https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_175756.htm?selectedLocale=en

NATO Secretary General: Security challenges not diminishing because of COVID-19

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed a meeting of NATO Chiefs of Defence on Thursday (14 May 2020) by videoconference. He stressed that security challenges have not diminished because of COVID-19 and NATO must continue to ensure that the health crisis does not turn into a security crisis. 

Additional details at https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_175730.htm?selectedLocale=en