NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană welcomed a group of 21 diplomats from 19 European Union member states in Brussels on Tuesday (19 December 2023). The diplomats are part of the European Diplomatic Academy, a training programme launched by the European External Action Service in 2022.
The European Union is an important partner for NATO. The third NATO-EU Joint Declaration was signed in January 2023 and the two institutions are looking to increase cooperation in new areas. Mr Geoană stressed that democratic nations and institutions like NATO and the EU must stand ever more closely together, and protect their values and shared interests. The Deputy Secretary General also highlighted NATO's current activities and core missions, including deterrence and defence, innovation, resilience and partnerships.
Underscoring that the next generation of Europe's diplomats has rarely been more important, Mr Geoană encouraged them to be true leaders, in their profession and their countries.
