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NATO-EU cooperation to top agenda at NATO ministerial meeting

Xinhua, December 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

NATO-EU cooperation will top the agenda at the upcoming NATO foreign ministers meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference on Monday.

Previewing the meeting over the next two days, Stoltenberg stressed that stronger cooperation between the two blocs is one key way to strengthen their response to a more challenging security environment.

"Over the last couple of years, we have been able to create new momentum in our partnership and reach a new understanding of the importance of our cooperation," he said, adding that, "and this week, I expect we will take a significant step forward."

Stoltenberg noted that foreign ministers will endorse a package of more than 40 measures to implement the Joint Declaration on EU-NATO cooperation at the meeting.

NATO and the European Union (EU) decided to step up their cooperation by signing a declaration at the NATO's Warsaw Summit in July, with key areas on counteracting hybrid threats, cyber security, and maritime safety.

The foreign ministers meeting agenda also includes discussions on defense capacity-building cooperation with NATO partner countries, and support for Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Ministers will discuss NATO's role in the United States-led coalition's fight against the Islamic State, its training plan for Iraq and new operation Sea Guardian in the Mediterranean.

"On Wednesday, we will meet with Afghan Foreign Minister Rabbani, to reaffirm our commitment to supporting Afghans to secure their own country, and to review Afghanistan's reforms," Stoltenberg said.

A meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission will also be participated by ministers, where they will discuss the security situation in eastern Ukraine and NATO's approach to Russia.

Highlighting this week's meeting is an important building block for NATO's summit next year, Stoltenberg added he looks forward to welcoming the new U.S. President Donald Trump to the summit and to working with him. Endit