North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Transformation
May 2, 2013
Deputy Commander Visits Bahrain, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates
Written by Robin Michelle Barnett
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General Bieniek…encouraged Bahrain to develop the Individual Partnerships Cooperation Programme (IPCP), an entry level programme available to all partners.
In Kuwait, DSACT [Deputy Commander of NATO's Allied Command Transformation] discussed the ICI Regional Centre (ICI RC), an effort Kuwait offered to host and fund. The ICI RC was welcomed through the Chicago Summit Declaration; once complete, the Centre will include a NATO detachment.
“The positive and rapid involvement in Operation Unified Protector (OUP) and ISAF is directly related to enhanced military cooperation.”
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General Mieczyslaw Bieniek, Deputy Commander of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (DSACT) visited Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 17-21 April 2013.
The three countries are part of NATO’s Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI). Launched at the Alliance’s Summit in June 2004, the ICI aims to offer Middle Eastern countries practical, bilateral security cooperation with NATO. The ICI focuses on practical cooperation in areas where NATO can add value such as security.
General Bieniek’s April visit sought to improve practical military relations with partners in the region, develop greater ties with individual ICI countries and their Armed Forces, discuss Allied Command Transformation support, promote partnership engagement and express appreciation for active contributions to NATO-led operations.
During his visit, Bieniek met with the Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa; Chief of the Kuwait Defense Force, General Sheik Khaled Jarra Al-Sabah; and the Deputy Chief of the UAE Defense Force, Major General Issa Saif Mohammed Al-Mazroei. DSACT also visited the Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College in Kuwait and presented a lecture on NATO’s Prospect and Partners Role.
Meeting first with Bahrain’s Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, General Bieniek discussed enhancing joint military cooperation. DSACT invited Bahrain to participate in ACT events, which will enhance the level of NATO-related expertise in the Bahrain Armed Forces. He also encouraged Bahrain to develop the Individual Partnerships Cooperation Programme (IPCP), an entry level programme available to all partners.
Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa praised the Bahrain-NATO relations, affirming the “need to consolidate bilateral cooperation and for further coordination…”
In Kuwait, DSACT discussed the ICI Regional Centre (ICI RC), an effort Kuwait offered to host and fund. The ICI RC was welcomed through the Chicago Summit Declaration; once complete, the Centre will include a NATO detachment.
General Sheik Khaled Jarra Al-Sabah echoed DSACT’s sentiment stating the approach was promising and further expressed appreciation on behalf of Kuwait. The General praised the Kuwait-NATO relations, underlining the need for strengthening bilateral military cooperation…across the Gulf region.
UAE’s Major General Issa Saif Mohammed Al-Mazroei presented General Bieniek with a summary of current issues facing the UAE Armed Forces and security threats in the Gulf region. Al-Mazroei stressed the importance of NATO connectivity to the UAE to leverage NATO’s lessons learned and plan together for emerging security challenges. He further iterated that the UAE is working to be a “good example in the region”.
According to DSACT, “NATO has a keen interest in the security and stability of the Gulf region and desires to develop stronger ties with individual countries of the region and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).”
Regarding ICI, he explained that the cooperation framework between NATO and ICI countries is sustainable and should be encouraged. According to discussions that took place, all three countries seek to enhance respective security requirements. Examples of such security needs include the protection of oil and gas shipments at sea, securing lines of communication through the Strait of Hormuz (the same lines that bring energy resources to NATO countries), cyber defence, preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and providing education and training.
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Before departing General Bieniek expressed his views on future information sharing as a step forward toward enhanced collaboration and a more proactive and profound cooperation. He also re-affirmed that ICI nations’ interaction and demand has increased over past years. Further stating, “The positive and rapid involvement in Operation Unified Protector (OUP) and ISAF is directly related to enhanced military cooperation.”
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