The ATA Council was hosted at NATO Headquarters in the Luns Amphitheatre on Thursday May 19^th, 2011.  

A variety of distinguished speakers gave briefings to the ATA Council and candid answers were given to the questions that were posed.

The first panel discussed NATO’s Current Agenda and the speakers were H.E. Linas Linekvicius, Dean of the NAC and Permanent Representative of Lithuania to NATO; Mrs. Heidi Hulan, Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to NATO and Mr. Spiros Lambridis, Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to NATO. 

Mr. Linekvicius revealed that despite skepticism, intervention by the Alliance is welcomed by many countries. He also clarified that NATO was not expanding as a "world policman" but would continue to work in partnership with other countries.  He also noted that despite the differences between NATO and Russia, Russia is intensively involved in over ten programs and areas.

Mrs. Hulan explained how Lisbon was a turning point for the Alliance since it represented the first time in recent memory that the Alliance was not faced with whether NATO is relevant, but was rather seen as an enormous success after the adoption of the New Strategic Concept.  As an example, Hulan pointed out that there is no question about the value-added of NATO operations in Afghanistan, to not only its immediate neibourhood but also in the international arena.

Mr. Lambridis further expounded on the idea that NATO is evolving and adapting to the current global climate and that this change was encaptulated in the New Strategic Concept.  It was necessary for NATO to adapt to accomplish its goals through internal reforms—including administrattive, defense and military—in light of the financial crisis.

Mr. Martin Howard, Assistant Secretary General, Operations Division elaborated on NATO’S Operations.  Mr. Howard explained that in Kosovo, NATO is satisfied with the situation on the ground and that they are now entering a process of sized reductions.  In terms of counter-piracy, NATO plans to maintain a continuous Maritime presence.  For the case of Somalia, he believes it is a failed state with no grips to resolve and it is necessary to resolve the underlying issues.  Howard also mentioned that Active Endeavour has moved from regular patrol to being intelligence-led.

Mr. James Appathurai, Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Political Affairs an Security Policy Division explained NATO’S New Partnerships.  Mr. Appathurai explained that the new partnerships are an integral element of the New Strategic Concept which works to enhance three areas.  Firstly, the focus on issues rather than frameworks have allowed for missions to be more substance driven.  He gave the examples of the organized cooperation on cyber defence and maritime security.  Secondly, it has enhanced the ability of the Alliance to strategically reach out to new partners like China and India.  Thirdly, it has given partners a structural role in NATO.  For example, at the NATO Advisory Council, there are five countries who are working together who have expressed interests in fundamentally different ways.

Appathurai also commented on NATO’s relationship with Russia being a strategic imperative.  They are a key partner in missilie defence and have accepted the offer in Lisbon.  The key is on how to defend European territory together.  In regards to the Middle East, Apparthurai supplemented, has gone through substantial changes.  Libya is the greatest example of where substantial assistance is required in its transition.  Nonetheless, NATO remains Transatlantic and security oriented and will be occupied with its current functions.