1 August 2011 - DR KARL A. LAMERS, NATO PA PRESIDENT, VISITS ITALY

After serving as Commandant for three years, LtGen Wolf-Dieter Löser from Germany handed over to LtGen Arne Bård Dalhaug from Norway at an official ceremony. The College, founded in 1951, is NATO’s most important education centre, and prepares officers to work at NATO headquarters and commands. “For 60 years, the NDC has excelled in carrying out its mission. At a time of new challenges in security policy, it is more important than ever and an essential part of NATO,” Dr Lamers said.

During his visit to Rome, Dr Lamers also met with the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Gianfranco Fini. Dr Lamers and Mr Fini talked about current developments in the Afghanistan mission, to which Italy has contributed 4000 troops, and the situation in Libya. Both agreed that a decisive phase has been entered in the North African country. The next phase should allow the Libyan people to take charge of their own affairs and freely choose their leaders.  NATO will not play the lead role in this phase, but the Alliance and its parliamentary assembly should certainly be ready to support international efforts if requested, and engage with a democratically elected Libyan leadership, Dr Lamers said. Involving partners – particularly those from the region – should also remain a key priority.