NATO Parliamentary Assembly ’s Post

The #NATOPA Defence & Security, and Science & Technology Committees joint visit to #France began with briefings at the Sénat on #France’s support for #Ukraine and #NATO’s deterrence and defence adaptation efforts, as well as the country’s defence production mobilisation under a war time economy.

#DefenseSpending, forward deployment, and the Baltic accessions were central to discussions during the recent visit of the #NATOPA’s Economics & Security Committee to #Estonia. Key takeaways💡 ⤵️ 🔹Estonia leads by example, dedicating 3.4% of its GDP to defence, the highest among #NATO members. Its strong financial commitment bolsters both military and societal resilience. 🔹With NATO’s expanded presence in the region, Estonia, alongside #Sweden and #Finland’s accession, enjoys stronger strategic depth. This collective effort ensures better preparation for any potential #Russian aggression. 🔹Estonia is a global leader in #cyberdefence, investing heavily in its digital ecosystem. The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), based in Tallinn, plays a crucial role in training Allies against modern cyber threats. 🔹Its support for #Ukraine as a critical first line of defence. In proportion to its size, it remains one of Ukraine’s most significant military backers, standing firm against Russian aggression. 🔹Its defence strategy is built on readiness for rapid mobilisation, prepositioned Allied forces, and modern equipment. Estonia and its NATO Allies are committed to deterring and, if necessary, defeating any potential Russian incursion. As a front-line state, Estonia continues to demonstrate leadership in both the Baltic region and NATO, strengthening its defence against growing geopolitical threats ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eKU-hv-r ____ Riigikogu

#NATOPA President, Gerald E. Connolly, will address tomorrow's IFES Regional Europe Office (REO) panel discussion "The Road to Resilience: What Makes a Democracy Persist?". Find out more⤵️

🌍 The #NATOPA’s Sub-Committee on Transatlantic Defence and Security Cooperation visited Norway and Sweden to assess the evolving #security landscape in the #HighNorth and #BalticSea regions. 1️⃣ Strategic competition in the High North has accelerated since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine 2️⃣ Sweden is fast-tracking its integration into #NATO structures to strengthen #Allied collective defence. 3️⃣ #Norway & #Sweden are significantly boosting their #defence budgets and acquiring capabilities to meet new challenges. 4️⃣ Visits to key air and naval bases highlighted each nation’s strategic outlook and preparations for NATO operations. 🔗 Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/e34iHmKe _____________ Marcos Perestrello Sverre Myrli Jukka Kopra Dimitris Kairidis Georges Engel Trond Helleland Emma Berginger Utku Cakirozer Mark Lancaster Alec Shelbrooke MP

🔑 Highlights from the #NATOPA Rose-Roth seminar in Warsaw: 1️⃣ NATO PA members reaffirmed their commitment to #Ukraine amid #Russianaggression. 2️⃣ Discussions focused on reinforcing #democraticresilience against #hybridwarfare and #disinformation. 3️⃣ Belarus’ role in Russia’s war was emphasized, with calls for more #Allied support for Belarusian #democracy. 4️⃣ Poland leads #NATOAllies, committing 4.7% of its GDP to #defence, collaboration is essential for addressing current threats. 5️⃣ Finland and Sweden’s NATO accession is reshaping the Baltic region’s security landscape, with new joint strategies emerging. 🌍 Read the full press release for more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eDGxk9AK

#NATOPA President Gerry Connolly wholeheartedly welcomes Mark Rutte as he begins his term as the new NATO Secretary General: “His personal commitment to the #democraticvalues at the heart of #NATO and to a strong #transatlanticrelationship will be essential in helping the #Alliance navigate the greatest test for #collectivesecurity and #defence we have seen in a generation."

During #NATOPA’s recent Science & Technology Committee visit to 🇧🇪 & 🇳🇱, the delegation met with NATO officials, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss #AI, countering #disinformation, and enhancing collaboration to maintain NATO's technological edge. 💡Read the press release https://lnkd.in/eiaP92qw Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Collaboration is key for innovation, with initiatives like DIANA and the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF). 2️⃣ Strong efforts are underway to counter disinformation across member countries. 3️⃣ Belgium & the Netherlands are leaders in defence innovation through partnerships with NATO. 4️⃣ The importance of space in NATO’s strategy was underscored during a visit to the European Space Agency - ESA. 5️⃣ Visits to SABCA, imec, and ASML highlighted expertise in #aerospace, #nanoelectronics, and #semiconductors vital to NATO's defence. ____________ Sven Clement Theo Francken Marcos Perestrello Radoslav Ribarski

🗣 The #NATOPA Defence & Security Committee visited #Alaska and #WashingtonState, to study the United States’ evolving missile defence posture, renewed strategic focus on the Arctic, challenges to Allies’ defence industrial base, and growing threats to cyber security. Key takeaways:  🔹NATO needs modern, layered, integrated missile defence capabilities to defend and deter increasingly complex air threats to Allied territory. 🔹 #Alaska’s strategic location is vital for missile defence, power projection into the #IndoPacific, and #US and #Allies’ growing focus on Arctic security. 🔹 Washington State’s aerospace sector is a hub of missile and #spacetechnology, with companies like Hexcel Corporation and Karman Space & Defense driving innovation. 🔹 At Microsoft, discussions focused on combating rapidly evolving #cyberthreats, particularly the growing challenge of disinformation to democracies, and the need for stronger digital defences. 🔹 #Russia, #China, and #Iran are ramping up #AI-driven #disinformation campaigns to splinter civil society cohesion and impact election outcomes. Read the full press release here ➡ https://lnkd.in/eKYrwQyD ___________ Alec Shelbrooke MP Utku Cakirozer Julie Dzerowicz Cedric Perrin Hugues SAURY alberto Losacco Sven Clement Gusty Graas Trond Helleland Oscarsson Mikael Mark Lancaster

On this #InternationalDayofDemocracy, #NATOPA President, Gerald E. Connolly, reaffirms the Assembly’s commitment to defending democratic values. Find out more about the case for a Democratic Resilience Centre within NATO Headquarters ➡ https://bit.ly/CDRN