NATO PA / AP-OTAN

🙏to @OECDdev for including a @natopa voice at the conference on the future of development policy. Security policy & development policy are not a binary choice. We need both! Linchpin=resilience. @natopa focuses on translating resilience into concrete parliamentary legislation.

Discussions explored geopolitical shifts across NATO’s Southern Neighbourhood, the increasing prominence of the Gulf region, the security implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine and emerging challenges affecting maritime security and regional stability. The seminar also assessed opportunities for strengthening NATO partnerships and parliamentary diplomacy with countries across the region. Read more ↓ nato-pa.int/news/nato-parl…

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗢'𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱? Legislators from NATO and partner countries gathered in Rome to examine the evolving strategic landscape across the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa and its implications for Euro-Atlantic security. They heard from: - @Fontana3Lorenzo, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy - @GuidoCrosetto, Minister of Defence of Italy - @dubravkasuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean, European Commission - @JavierColominaP, NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood - Luigi DI MAIO, E.U. Special Representative (@EUSR_Gulf) for the Gulf Region, European External Action Service (EEAS)

🤝 The NDC was pleased to welcome H.E. Mr Marcos Perestrello, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly - @natopa. 📌 He met NDC Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen, received a briefing on the College, and toured the facilities, gaining insight into the NDC’s role as @NATO's leading strategic-level #educational and #research institution. 🙌 Thank you for the visit and #engaging discussions! #WeAreNATO

Bilateral meetings were held with: 🔹@Fontana3Lorenzo , Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies 🔹@gasparripdl, Chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee 🔹Antonino Minardo, Chair of the Defence Committee of the Chamber of Deputies 🔹@Giulio_Tremonti, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies The discussions underscored 🇮🇹’s important contribution to parliamentary cooperation and political dialogue, as well as its continued commitment to #NATO, Euro-Atlantic security, and stability in the Mediterranean region.

President @MarcosPerestre1, accompanied by Secretary General @benedettabertiw, held a series of substantive bilateral meetings focused on the central role of NATO, the enduring strength of the transatlantic bond, and the need for continued investment in defence to build a stronger Europe within a stronger Alliance.

The #NATOPA marked the 30th anniversary of the #Mediterranean Special Group in Rome 🇮🇹, reaffirming the importance of sustained dialogue with partners from the Southern neighbourhood on shared security challenges. Special thanks to @L_Cesa and @calovinigg for their support and contribution to the seminar.

Since last year's visit to 🇧🇭, recent crises in the Gulf region show how Bahrain still serves as a vital partner for #NATO Allies. During the GSM seminar in Rome, Allied parliamentarians further explore potential partnerships within NATO's Southern Neighbourhood.

"Sono qui oggi non soltanto per il rispetto che ho per questa Assemblea e per l’Alleanza Atlantica, ma per affidarvi la responsabilità di contaminare positivamente i vostri Parlamenti e, più in generale, le vostre nazioni, spiegando loro che non esiste futuro se non attraverso l’unione di tutti i Paesi liberi e la ricostruzione di una carta di valori condivisi. Ognuno di noi ha il compito di contribuire a una nuova #NATO, cardine imprescindibile per la nostra capacità di difesa e deterrenza, chiamata oggi non solo a reagire alle crisi, ma anche ad anticiparle, a partire dalle minacce e dalle instabilità che provengono dal Fianco Sud. L’Africa rappresenta una priorità strategica: un continente giovane, ricco di risorse, energie e potenzialità, ma ancora segnato da profonde fragilità economiche, sociali e istituzionali. Guardare al Fianco Sud significa comprendere che sicurezza, sviluppo e stabilità sono dimensioni inseparabili. L’Alleanza Atlantica deve evolvere, aprirsi e dialogare sempre di più con Paesi che condividono con noi valori, interessi e visioni comuni. L’Europa, sul tema della difesa, deve superare il perimetro dei 27 Stati e coinvolgere anche le altre nazioni del continente, per condividere responsabilità e sicurezza e affrontare minacce sempre più complesse. Sono certo che il vostro lavoro sarà fondamentale per assicurare un futuro migliore ai nostri figli". Così il Min. @GuidoCrosetto all’apertura del Seminario del “Gruppo Speciale Mediterraneo e Medio Oriente” dell’Assemblea parlamentare della NATO, presso l’Aula dei Gruppi Parlamentari di @Montecitorio.

Great to be in Rome for the 30th anniversary of the Med & Middle East Special Group of the @natopa together with @EUSR_Gulf. Stability in our southern neighbourhood is key for our shared security and #NATO will continue to enhance cooperation with our Med and Gulf partners

Allied legislators discussed the NATO PA priorities in the run up to the NATO Summit in Ankara and the role of national parliaments in: 1⃣ Implementing the historic decision to increase defence spending to 5% GDP 2⃣ Boosting Allied defence production and rapid adoption of technologies 3⃣ Investing in Allied capabilities needed to enhance NATO's deterrence and defence posture 4⃣ Providing continuous political and military support to Ukraine Stay tuned for more #NATOPA news in the coming weeks as we prepare for the 2026 Spring Session in Vilnius.

Last week the NATO Parliamentary Assembly continued its outreach activities and hosted a panel discussion in Warsaw 🇵🇱 at the @Defence24Days conference. Great line-up of NATO PA members: @MarkLancasterMK, @markomihkelson, and @joannakluzik

At @NATO_PA, we believe building a culture of defence and preparedness is essential for a stronger Europe in a stronger @NATO. Great exchanges this week with youth at the 55th @SG__Symposium and the #NEXTMilanForum at @ispionline & Bocconi.

For the first time @natopa organised a panel discussion at the @Defence24Days in 🇵🇱. @joannakluzik 🇵🇱, @markomihkelson 🇪🇪& @MarkLancasterMK 🇬🇧 discussed three political priorities for the upcoming @NATO Summit in 🇹🇷: 1) defence spending; 2) defence industry; 3) burden shifting.

Allied parliamentarians will gather in Vilnius 🇱🇹 as the Alliance faces growing pressure across multiple fronts. From the Russian aggression against Ukraine to mounting hybrid campaign and the need to strengthen collective defence, this Session takes place against a rapidly shifting security landscape. #NATOPAVilnius Find out more ↓ publication.nato-pa.int/programme/viln…

Missed the action in April? Read what the #NATOPA has been up to → eu1.hubs.ly/H0v0CQ80

🚨On 7 May @natopa organizes a dedicated panel discussion during the @Defence24Days conference in Warsaw. NATO Summit in Ankara: A Parliamentary Perspective 👉tiny.pl/xyt2tt-pp 🇵🇱: @joannakluzik 🇪🇪: @markomihkelson 🇬🇧:@MarkLancasterMK Moderator: @dpjankowski

📍 ONE MONTH TO GO Why collective defence matters today? How do we protect our societies from hybrid threats? And how do we sustain political and military support for Ukraine over time? These questions will shape the discussions at the spring session in Vilnius 🇱🇹. Watch this space #NATOPAVilnius eu1.hubs.ly/H0tZtqF0

In his speech at the @ksfopenukraine, NATO PA president @MarcosPerestre1 called on his fellow parliamentarians: "We are not mere observers. Through parliamentary diplomacy, oversight, and advocacy, we can reduce bottlenecks, shorten procedures, and ensure that political commitments are matched by rapid implementation." Read the full address → nato-pa.int/document/2026-…

NATO PA president @MarcosPerestre1 delivered a strong message at the @ksfopenukraine ↓ "Ukraine must have the means to defend its people, protect its infrastructure, and safeguard its sovereignty now, not later."