NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has appointed a group of independent experts to support a review of NATO’s approach to its southern neighborhood – particularly in the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel regions. Professor Ana Santos Pinto from Portugal was appointed president. On the Greek side, the Prime Minister’s National Security Advisor, Mr. Thanos Dokos, participates in the group.

In particular, as the Alliance’s announcement at the Vilnius summit points out, the Allies began a deep reflection on NATO’s relationship with its southern neighborhood. The aim is to agree on concrete proposals in time for the next NATO summit, to be held in Washington in July 2024.

The team will develop a report to support this process, which will be delivered to the secretary general ahead of the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting next April. The report is expected to help Allies take stock of emerging developments in NATO’s wider southern neighborhood and identify concrete recommendations for shaping the future approach of the North Atlantic Alliance, including outlining opportunities for further engagement and cooperation with partner nations, international organizations and others relevant factors.

The following have been appointed to the team: Dr. Katia Lindskov Jacobsen (Denmark), Elie Tenenbaum (France), Ambassador (honorary) Hermann Nicolai (Germany), Dr. Thanos Dokos (Greece)Brigadier General Alessio Nardi (Italy), Dr. Aleksandra Bukowska-McCampbe (Poland), Professor Ana Santos Pinto (Portugal), Carlos Carnero Gonzalez (Spain), Ambassador Refik Ali Onaner (Turkey) and Ambassador Richard Norland (United States).