MONS, Belgium - SHAPE’s Partnership Directorate (PD) held their annual conference, the Military Strategic Partnership Conference (MSPC), in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from Apr. 8 to 12, 2024, with several issues on the agenda including advancing NATO partnership processes and programmes.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Partnerships Director, Rear Admiral Gunnstein Bruåsal, set the tone of the week by urging Partners to treat the conference as a “partnership speed-dating week,” encouraging participants to widen their network of connections.
The exchange of views, ideas and experiences is priceless, and it will help us strengthen our partnerships and improve our abilities
“The exchange of views, ideas and experiences is priceless, and it will help us strengthen our partnerships and improve our abilities," said Bruåsal.
During the conference, SHAPE’s Vice Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Hubert Cottereau, announced the development of the Partner Augmentation Forces to NATO Concept.
“It will provide a framework for Partners to offer forces to augment the elements of the NATO Force Model, to address all three core tasks of the Alliance, deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security,” said Cottereau. The Lieutenant General recollected that since the 1990’s NATO operations always involved Partners, highlighting Afghanistan, NATO Mission Iraq, Operation Sea Guardian. Meantime, NATO continues to work with six Partners in Kosovo, to provide a safe and secure environment.
SHAPE’s Partnership Directorate held their annual conference, the Military Strategic Partnership Conference in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from Apr. 8 to 12, 2024, with several issues on the agenda including advancing NATO partnership processes and programmes. A record 360 participants took part in the conference. - NATO Photo by HQ Sarajevo
The Bosnian Defence Minister, Zukan Helez, highlighted the key benefits his country enjoys as a Partner. “It offers an opportunity to our military and civilian staff to improve their knowledge, competencies and skills through suitable courses and trainings in NATO and Partner training centres,” he stated.
This year’s conference included 360 participants, a record, with 33 Partner nations in attendance – the two remaining Partners followed the conference remotely.
Working with Partners is mutually beneficial; Partners contribute to NATO's core activities, from shaping policy to building defence capacity, developing interoperability and managing crises. Additionally, dialogue and cooperation with Partners can result in concrete contributions to enhancing international security, defending values on which the Alliance is based, and supporting NATO-led missions and operations.
For over 25 years, the Alliance has developed a network of partnerships with non-member countries from the Euro-Atlantic area, the Mediterranean, the Gulf region and others across the globe. This conference is a unique opportunity to show how NATO pursues dialogue and practical cooperation with these nations on a wide range of political and security-related issues.