Military Chiefs of Defense Conference which opens today, Tuesday, January 26th
IDF Chief of Staff Leaves for NATO Conference in Brussels
The IDF Chief of the General Staff arrives this morning in Brussels for the NATO Military Chiefs of Defense Conference which opens today, Tuesday, January 26th, 2010. His agenda will include discussions regarding the short and long term challenges facing Israel, the combination of threats in the region and the need for cooperation between the IDF and NATO militaries and countries against the global terrorist threat.
The conference will focus on ways to enhance maritime security and includes meeting with Mediterranean Dialogue countries. In addition, the Chief of the General Staff will hold a series of meetings with his counterparts from various countries and senior officials in NATO.
These will include a meeting with his American counterpart, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, Admiral Michael G. Mullen. The two will discuss strengthening the relations between the two armed forces, the security condition and the challenges in the Middle East.
The IDF Chief of the General Staff will also hold meetings with the following: Commander of EUCOM (U.S European Command), Admiral James G. Stavridis; Chief of the General Staff of the Canadian Military, General Walter J. Natynczyk; Chief of the Defense Staff of Italy, General Vincenzo Camporini; Australia Chief of the Defense Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston; Chief of Defense of France, General Jean-Louis Georgelin; Chief of the Defense Staff of the United Kingdom, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup. In addition, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will visit NATO’s situation room and meet with the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, General Hĺkan Syrén.
During his visit, the IDF Chief of the General Staff will also meet with senior officials from the Israeli Embassies in Belgium, Holland and the European Union.
During the meetings, the Chief of the General Staff will present the security challenges facing Israel, and focus on arms smuggling and the mounting threat of global terrorism.
The Chief of the General Staff will be accompanied by the Head of the International Military Cooperation Department, Col. Dan Hefez, by the Assistant to the Chief of the General Staff, Col. Erez Winner and by the Israel Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to Holland, NATO and the EU, Col. Hanny Caspi.
The IDF Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Ganz, will replace Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi during his absence.
BreuerPress-info
