Major General Slimene Chaib, vice president of the Permanent Committee for the conduct of the Military Cooperation with NATO, poses with Admiral James Foggo, commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples, during their meeting. Photo by French Navy Chief Petty Officer Sebastien Laurent.
NAPLES, Italy — An Expert Staff Meeting was held at Allied Joint Force Command Naples with the Algerian representatives on Nov. 27.
German Army Brigadier General Reinhard Kloss, JFC Naples Assistant Chief of Staff – J9 Division, led an the meeting at JFC Naples with the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria representatives. The three-person Algerian Delegation was led by Major General Slimene Chaib, vice president of the Permanent Committee for the conduct of the Military Cooperation with NATO.
The meeting was in the framework of an annual military partner cooperation menu and an important annual occurrence for all partner countries. It allows JFC Naples and the partner to openly discuss progress under various initiatives and ensure the partner is correctly supported. In particular, discussions at the meeting included a review of the cooperation programs between Algeria and NATO for 2017, a presentation on worthwhile cooperation activities and exercises available in 2018, JFC Naples Military Partnership Branch's role in facilitating the partnership and an in-depth presentation on the NATO Strategic Direction South Hub. Shortly afterward the Hub brief, the Algerian delegation received a personalized tour of the Hub facilities. The day ended with the delegation having an office call with JFC Naples Commander, Admiral James Foggo, allowing Foggo the opportunity to share JFC Naples’ commitment to the partnership.
Frankness, flexibility and transparency characterized the exchanges and the quality of the discussions throughout that event. NATO team members from the JFC Naples MPB underlined the professionalism and the experience of the Algerian delegation. While at the end of the day, the Algerian delegation indicated they were happy with the planned way ahead of the partnership.
Algeria is a partner nation from the Mediterranean Dialogue Framework. It currently participates in numerous NATO initiatives including various courses at NATO Centres of Excellences, NATO School Oberammergau, NATO Partnership Training and Education Centres, the NATO Defense College, Senior Executive NATO courses and other Key Leader Engagements. The Expert Staff Meeting is a vital part of the annual military cooperation between NATO and Algeria, as it ensures the military partnership is meeting the needs of the Algerian Armed Forces’ and generates partnering activity that is in-line with NATO’s Military Committee’s Direction and Guidance. More broadly it also supports NATO’s broader aims to help build the trust and understanding that will lead to better cooperation in the region while increasing military interoperability for future NATO missions.