NATO to take new steps to strengthen collective defense

NATO will take new steps to strengthen collective defense at a ministerial meeting this week, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday during a press conference at NATO headquarters.

"The main issue will be how NATO adapts to a new and more challenging security environment," he said, adding that, "This is an environment which is more complex and more demanding than it has been for a long time."

The decisions to be made will include further increasing the strength and capability of the NATO Response Force and speeding up political and military decision-making. As well, setting up a new logistics headquarters within the NATO command structure and better coordinating and managing the movement of forces across the Alliance territory and their central supplies are among other decisions to be undertaken.

"Seven European Allies will lead the force over the coming years. Six new small headquarters across the eastern part of the Alliance are being set up. And all Allies are making substantial contributions to our strengthened presence in the air, at sea, and on the ground," Stoltenberg said. Endit