Published:September 27th, 2006 04:08 EST

Ministers to review operations transformation in Portoroz

NATO’s Afghanistan mission, other Alliance operations and its transformation will be the focus of informal consultations of Defence Ministers in Slovenia, 28-29 September, the last meeting of Ministers prior to the Riga Summit.

The way ahead for NATO’s operation in Afghanistan, including the generation of forces for the mission and the need for more reconstruction efforts by the international community, will be discussed.

Ministers also are expected to discuss Kosovo and continuing NATO support for the African Union’s mission in Darfur.

Last meeting before Riga

On the second day of their meeting, Ministers will look at NATO’s transformation and the implementation of decisions aimed at ensuring that the Alliance has the capabilities and forces it needs to meet today’s security threats.

Ministers will also meet with the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergei Ivanov, to discuss NATO-Russia defence cooperation as well as current security issues.

The meeting is the last meeting of Ministers prior to the Summit in Riga, the capital of Latvia, 28-29 November, which will see NATO Heads of State and Government meeting to take forward NATO’s transformation.

Source:NATO