15 February 2009 - PRESIDENT JOHN TANNER OPENS MEETINGS OF PARLIAMENTARIANS WITH NATO LEADERSHIP [press release]

In his opening remarks, President of the NATO PA John Tanner (United States ) said that with the financial challenges facing all Alliance members, “NATO’s members must work together as a team to ensure that we make the most of our resources.  We have shared goals and a shared commitment, but we must share the burden of achieving our goals.”

On 15 February, NATO PA members will meet with Ambassador Martin Erdmann, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Mr. Robert Simmons, the Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, and the Ambassadors to NATO from the United States, France and Lithuania.

Karl Lamers (Germany ), Chair of the NATO PA Political Committee said that, “With a new administration in Washington, D.C., it is vital that we meet now with our American colleagues.  There is no substitute for face‑to-face meetings.”

On 16 February, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, and Ambassador Jiri Sedivy, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy will brief the members on current operations. 

Jo Ann Emerson (US), Chair of the NATO PA Civil Dimension of Security Committee stated that, “This is an important opportunity for members of legislatures from across the Alliance to hear directly from NATO’s top officials and for us to express the concerns of our citizens.”

In the afternoon of 16 February, some members will meet with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the North Atlantic Council while others will travel to Supreme Allied Powers Europe Headquarters (SHAPE) for meetings with the Supreme Allied Commander General John Craddock and other military officials.   On 17 February, the entire group of parliamentarians will discuss responses to the financial crisis and trade issues with EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Honorable Joaquin Almunia and Mr. David Sullivan, Director General for Trade.

“Given the political, economic and security challenges we face,” said Assen Agov (Bulgaria) Vice President of the NATO PA, “we owe it to our citizens to seize every chance for dialogue between members of parliament from across the transatlantic alliance.”