NATO small HQs in E Europe to become fully operational
Xinhua, February 4, 2016 Adjust font size:
NATO's six new small headquarters in Eastern Europe, namely the NATO Force Integration Units (NFIUs) are on track to become fully operational by the Warsaw Summit in July 2016, the security organization said Wednesday.
The units are part of the readiness action plan, the biggest reinforcement of NATO's collective defense since the end of the Cold War in the wake of Ukraine crisis.
Inaugurated six months ago in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania, the units have since participated in major military exercises and welcomed new staff, according to NATO.
They serve as a vital link between national forces and multinational NATO forces. If required, the units will also support reinforcements, helping forces move quickly and effectively.
In the last six months, NFIU commanders have worked on establishing and staffing the units. Each office will have around 40 staff, half coming from the host country and the rest from other Allies.
NATO Defense Ministers have agreed to set up two more small headquarters in Hungary and Slovakia, which will be activated in the near future, NATO said. Enditem