About: Nato
Macedonia parliament to vote on name change deal with Greece
Macedonia's parliament will vote Monday (15 October) on whether to ratify a deal to change the country's name, in a bid to finally settle one of Europe's longest running disputes.
With Brexit looming, Germany and Britain ramp up defence cooperation
Britain signed a military cooperation agreement with Germany on Friday (5 October), emphasising London's commitment to helping shield Europe from future security threats at a time when negotiations over its own exit from the EU are reaching a crunch time.
‘Russia must stop its reckless pattern of behaviour’, NATO’s Stoltenberg warns
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told Russia on Thursday (4 September) to "stop its reckless pattern of behaviour" and vowed to strengthen the alliance's defences, citing recent Russian-led cyber-attacks on the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Bulgaria to choose between Swedish or US fighter jets
The United States, Sweden and Italy have filed bids to supply Bulgaria with eight fighter jets aimed at replacing its ageing Soviet-designed MiG-29s, in a tender estimated at 1.8 billion levs (€900 million), the defence ministry said on Monday (1 October).
Moscow slams Macedonia’s ‘forced’ name change vote
Moscow on Monday (1 October) said low turnout in the referendum on Macedonia's name change renders it invalid, adding that lack of interest means that the population has boycotted a decision "forced" upon it.
EU and NATO hail Macedonia’s referendum result despite low turnout
Macedonian voters backed a plan to rename the country aimed at ending a decades-long spat with Greece and unlocking a path to NATO and EU membership, with the West welcoming the result although the referendum was marred by low turnout.
Macedonia to accept referendum as valid even with low turnout
Two days before a crucial referendum that could open the doors of Macedonia to NATO and EU membership, an official from Skopje speaking in Brussels on Friday (28 September) made it clear that the authorities will declare the result as legitimate even in case of a low turnout.
Several thousand Macedonians gather to support EU, NATO membership
Several thousand Macedonians gathered in the capital Skopje on Sunday (16 September) to express their support for NATO and European Union membership bids and for a change in the country's name.
European NATO jets showcase unified Russian deterrence
British, French and German fighter jets simulated flight interceptions over Western Europe on Wednesday (12 September) as part of NATO drills to deter Russian planes from entering allied airspace and to showcase European efforts to integrate their air defences.
US defense chief to visit Macedonia, concerned about Russian ‘mischief’
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday (11 September) he would visit Macedonia before the 30 September referendum on changing the country's name, also expressing concern about suspected Russian interference in the vote, which Moscow denies.
Russia starts biggest manoeuvres ever, seen by NATO as rehearsal for ‘large-scale conflict’
Russia launches the largest military manoeuvers in its history on Wednesday (12 September), with the participation of nearly 300,000 military from all kinds of armed forces plus Chinese soldiers, disregarding NATO's criticism that it is a rehearsal for a "large-scale conflict."
We are ready to welcome you, NATO chief tells Macedonia
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Macedonians on Thursday (6 September) to vote in a referendum to embrace a deal on its name with neighbouring Greece and join the defence alliance.
Munich Security Conference Chief: Trump pushes Germany toward Russia and China
The longer Donald Trump stays in office, the higher the risk that anti-American forces will gain the upper hand in Germany and push it into the arms of Russia and China, veteran German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger said in an interview.
Macron proposes EU collective defence plan
French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that Europe adopts a form of collective defence on Thursday (30 August) as he strengthens calls for EU integration in the face of concerns over the United States' security commitments.
Belgium and Germany take over Baltic Air Policing
From September, German and Belgian military aircraft will take over responsibility for patrolling Baltic skies as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, at a time of growing concerns over security in Eastern Europe.
Denmark wants to cooperate ‘as much as possible’ on European defence
Denmark will take part as much as possible in European defence cooperation outside NATO, Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said after meeting France's president on Tuesday (28 August).
German foreign minister brands Trump’s EU policy ‘irritating’
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas again took aim at US President Donald Trump's foreign policy in a speech on Monday, branding his policies towards Europe "irritating".
Lithuania says it will not appeal European court ruling over CIA torture jail
Lithuania on Wednesday (22 August) said it would not appeal a European court ruling that the Baltic state had been complicit in a clandestine CIA programme by holding terror suspects at a secret detention site on its territory.
Turkey crisis risks souring military ties with US
The crisis in US-Turkish relations, which already has put Turkey's economy under massive strain, also risks souring military ties between the two NATO allies, unleashing unknown geopolitical consequences.
Georgia’s NATO future resurfaces during Russia conflict anniversary
Foreign affairs chiefs from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine met in Georgia this week to take part in commemorations marking 10 years since Russia’s invasion of the Caucasus Republic during 2008's August War.
Macedonia to hold referendum on name change on 30 September
Macedonia's parliament yesterday (30 July) set 30 September as the date for a referendum on changing the country's name to the Republic of North Macedonia, a high-stakes vote aimed at resolving a long-running row with Greece and clearing the path to join NATO and the EU.
Bulgaria issues request for proposals for new or used fighter jets
Bulgaria has sent a request for proposals (RFP) for 16 new or used fighter jets to replace its ageing Soviet-designed MiG-29s to seven countries, the defence ministry told Reuters today (25 July).
Putin says he warned Trump against closer NATO ties with Ukraine and Georgia
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday (19 July) warned NATO against cultivating closer ties with Ukraine and Georgia, saying such a policy was irresponsible and would have unspecified consequences for the alliance.