A meeting examining the future of NATO-Gulf relations was held in Kuwait on May 13, 2024. Ambassador Boris Ruge and Dr. Bader Al-Saif discussed the impacts of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, on regional security. The dialogue highlighted the necessity of adapting NATO’s strategies in response to changing security dynamics.
On May 13, 2024, a discussion entitled “Twenty years of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative: What is the way forward for NATO-Gulf relations?” was conducted at the NATO-Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Regional Centre (NIRC) in Kuwait. The dialogue focused on the significance of NATO partnerships amidst the evolving security landscape in the Gulf region.
The Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), initiated in 2004, serves as a platform for enhancing security collaboration between NATO and Gulf nations. Since its inception, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have engaged in this initiative, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year. The NIRC, established in 2017, aims to bolster political dialogue, education, and public diplomacy within the region.
Ambassador Boris Ruge emphasized the importance of Gulf security to NATO’s overall stability, citing recommendations from an independent expert group tasked by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. These recommendations will influence NATO’s future strategies in the Middle East and surrounding regions, reinforcing the mutual commitment to security cooperation.
Original Source: www.nato.int
