The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Skopje Is NATO Contact Point Embassy

As of January 2009 the Netherlands is the NATO Contact Point Embassy (CPE) in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Just before the end of 2008 NATO finalized the decision making process on the CPE’s in partner countries. The mandate is two years, from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2010.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands took over from the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Skopje, which acted as NATO CPE from January 2007 onwards. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands would like to express its warm appreciation of the efforts made by the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia as CPE in the past two years, as well as its commitment to actively fulfil the duties of CPE in the upcoming period.

BACKGROUND INFO:

The key task of a CPE is the distribution of information on the policy and objectives of the Alliance among NATO partner states and the involvement in the promotion of closer mutual contacts and the strengthening of relations.

As a Contact Point Embassy, the Netherlands strives to act as a bridge between NATO and the host country, actively supporting it on the road towards full membership of NATO, including its implementation of the Membership Action Plan. Amongst other things, a Contact Embassy cooperates with NATO representatives in organising seminars, conferences, roundtables and public debates concerning NATO and the host country, directed towards joining NATO. It also provides logistic support in the host country during visits of NATO senior officials.

More information on NATO CPE’s, can be found at:    www.nato.int/issues/cpes/index.html.

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Useful links:
 -  http://www.nato.int/strategic-concept/index.html