Washington D.C., 8 February 2016 - Despite the blizzard shutting down major portions of the United States’ eastern seaboard, the Defence and Security Committee (DSC) of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly had a successful annual visit to the United States from 26-29 January.

Clear priorities for the large delegation of 40 legislators from 19 NATO member state countries were the major issues facing the Alliance today, but throughout out all of the high-level briefings, all sides agreed that in such a diverse threat environment, a strong transatlantic link remains vital. As DSC Chairwoman, Nicole Ameline (France) noted: “The transatlantic community of shared values, goals, and ideals has never been as threatened as it is today. As we know all too well in Europe there are a complex range of security challenges not just facing the eastern and southern flanks of NATO, but at home as well. My country knows this all too well after the series of devastating terrorist attacks in 2015. Solidarity in the face of this new security reality is, therefore, essential.”

In Washington, meetings focused on US NATO policy in the run up to the July summit in Warsaw, which is seen as a critical meeting for the Alliance. NATO is considered to be in a critical transformative era as it faces two distinct challenges to the east from Russia, and to the south as conflict and state failure sow discord in the form of refugees and terrorism well beyond the region. DSC members were keen to hear from key members of the US Defense and State Departments about the priorities of the United States for the summit, their views on US reassurance and deterrence efforts in Europe, as well as its evolving policy in the Middle East, particularly the military campaign against Daesh.

At the start of the meetings with State Department officials, Nicole Ameline noted: “NATO is, at its heart, a collective security organisation: Its continued existence today is testimony to its relevance and importance. To continue to be the strongest political-military alliance in the world, all member states must focus their energy and resources on the NATO Alliance once again. Europeans and North Americans alike must understand the importance of a strong transatlantic security alliance, as no single member can handle all of the challenges we face alone.” Both State and Defense Department officials made it clear to the delegation that NATO remained a clear priority for the United States, but that officials at all levels had a strong desire to see European Allies do more. It was noted that the United States is consistently reviewing its security investments in Europe to assess their readiness to handle any and all challenges facing the Alliance today.

The delegation worked around a shutdown US government to salvage an abridged program of its planned meetings with the US Departments of State and Defense, as well as The Brookings Institution from 26-27 January. The delegation’s visit continued to Miami, where it was joined and led by NATO PA President, Representative Mike Turner (R-OH) for briefings at US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Coast Guard Air Station (Miami), Homestead Air Reserve Base, and U.S. Coast Guard Station Miami. President Turner voiced his pleasure to host such a large delegation of important lawmakers from across the transatlantic security alliance, noting the important work for the Assembly at such a critical juncture for the Alliance.