Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Today, the foreign ministers of NATO countries are meeting in Prague, the Czech capital, to discuss many international and regional files, most notably the war in Ukraine, and to prepare for the NATO summit scheduled in Washington within a few weeks. A statement issued by NATO headquarters in Brussels said that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who is currently in the Czech Republic, and in his meeting with Prime Minister Peter Viala, yesterday, Thursday, Stoltenberg thanked the Czech Republic for its great contributions to the alliance and its great assistance to Ukraine. He stressed that "the Czech Republic hosts hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees" and provides vital military equipment to Ukraine, "including tanks, helicopters and air defense missiles." He also welcomed the Czech-led ammunition initiative which is providing more artillery shells to Ukraine, expected to be delivered soon. “It really makes a difference,” he said.
Later, in a speech in the upper house of parliament, Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of the upcoming Washington summit in July, for which NATO foreign ministers are preparing this week in Prague. Stoltenberg said he expects leaders in Washington to make important decisions in three areas: strengthening NATO defenses, increasing support for Ukraine, and deepening NATO partnerships.
On Thursday evening, Czech President Peter Pavel awarded the Secretary-General the Tomas Garrigue Masaryk Medal in a ceremony held at Prague Castle. The foreign ministers will meet in an informal working session today, Friday. According to a statement issued by NATO headquarters in Brussels, the issue of developments in the situation in Ukraine was also present in discussions in which NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated on Tuesday on the sidelines of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Defense Ministers level to discuss continued support for Ukraine and the need to increase defense production. A NATO statement quoted the NATO Secretary-General as saying: Ukraine's most urgent need is more air defense. Stoltenberg added: "NATO and the European Union have worked very closely together to provide unprecedented military, economic and financial support to Ukraine." He stressed the need to accelerate the delivery of “ammunition and air defense systems, especially the most advanced Patriot systems.”
Ahead of the Washington summit next month, NATO is developing plans to further coordinate the provision of equipment and training, backed by a financial pledge. Stoltenberg stressed the need to “prevent gaps and delays as we have seen recently,” and the importance of providing “predictable and accountable long-term support,” so that Ukraine can prevail as an independent, sovereign state. Stoltenberg added that NATO “is working closely with the industrial base.” Transatlantic Defense to increase production,” whether to support Ukraine or for allied stockpiles.