The Netherlands Chief of Defence,  Lieutenant General Rob Bauer and SACEUR,  General Curtis M. Scaparrotti,  receive the salute of the honour  guard in The Hague on Friday,  Sept. 14,  2018. - Photo by Martijn Beekman

Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Curtis M. Scaparrotti,  visited the NLD Ministry of Defense (Friday, Sept. 14, 2018).   Scaparrotti first visited the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, before he continued to the Ministry of Defence. 

The Supreme Allied Forces Commander in Europe was welcomed with the appropriate regards.

He met the NLD Minister of Defence Ank Bijleveld-Schouten and had a comprehensive meeting with the Chief of Defence, Lieutenant-Admiral Rob Bauer and other senior members of the military staff.

The American top soldier spoke with Lieutenant-Admiral Bauer on a number of subjects such as NATO missions and operational agreements. An important issue was also the modernisation of NATO and related topics such as improved decision-making processes and the filling of units. 

The Netherlands extensively explained the Military Mobility project, in which it plays a pioneering role. This 'military highway' should make military transport by other countries easier. And NATO-EU (PESCO) cooperation between various countries.

According to Scaparrotti, the alliance is currently facing an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world since the cold war.

"More than ever, we therefore need competent and innovative forces within NATO, which is why the Dutch contribution is highly appreciated." As examples he mentioned the Dutch contributions to the mission in Afghanistan and the deployment of the enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania. "I want to thank you in particular for your leading role, with Germany and Norway as part of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force."

Story by defensie.nl translated from Dutch