Tillis and Shaheen Serve as Co-Chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group
“Following the terrorist attacks on 9/11, many of our NATO allies sent troops to Afghanistan to fight with us against the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and some still had a presence as of last month. Our allies are justifiably concerned with the withdrawal process from Afghanistan, the humanitarian crisis it created, and concerned with the likelihood it will once again become a sanctuary for terrorists,” said Senator Tillis. “NATO has been the most successful alliance in modern history, ensuring the safety and security of the United States and our allies against evolving threats. I’m grateful for Senator Shaheen’s partnership in restarting the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer Group, and we will continue to work closely with our NATO allies in addressing the humanitarian and security crisis in Afghanistan.”
"Our transatlantic alliance has helped maintain our world order for more than seventy years, including the last twenty of which U.S. and NATO forces fought together side-by-side in Afghanistan. Today, Senator Tillis and I hosted a virtual meeting with ambassadors and heads of mission from NATO member countries to reaffirm our deep appreciation for our allies who stepped up to support evacuation efforts, and to address next steps in Afghanistan that will require our continued partnership,” said Senator Shaheen. “Senator Tillis has been a steadfast partner in the Senate as my fellow co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group and I appreciate his efforts to continue that work by helping to lead our meeting this afternoon. Our NATO allies rallied to our side in the aftermath of September 11th and U.S. withdrawal was made possible thanks to close coordination with the transatlantic alliance. This coordination must endure to protect Afghan women and girls, and prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven for terrorism.”
Participants on the call included:
- Ambassador Floreta Faber – Albania
- Deputy Chief of Mission Jan De Pauw – Belgium
- Ambassador Tihomir Stoytchev – Bulgaria
- Ambassador Kirsten Hillman – Canada
- Ambassador Pjer Šimunovi? – Croatia
- Ambassador Lone Dencker Wisborg – Denmark
- Ambassador Kristjan Prikk – Estonia
- Deputy Chief of Mission Aurelie Bonal – France
- Ambassador Emily Margarethe Haber – Germany
- Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou – Greece
- Ambassador Szabolcs Takács – Hungary
- Ambassador Bergdís Ellertsdóttir – Iceland
- Ambassador Mariangela Zappia – Italy
- Ambassador M?ris Selga – Latvia
- Ambassador Audra Plepyt? – Lithuania
- Ambassador Nicole Bintner-Bakshian – Luxembourg
- Head of Mission Marija Stjepcevic – Montenegro
- Ambassador André Haspels – Netherlands
- Charge de'Affairs Vilma Petkovska – North Macedonia
- Deputy Chief of Mission Adam Krzywos?dzk – Poland
- Ambassador Domingos Fezas Vital – Portugal
- Ambassador Andrei Muraru – Romania
- Ambassador Radovan Javor?ík – Slovakia
- Ambassador Tone Kajzer – Slovenia
- Ambassador Hasan Murat Mercan – Turkey
- Deputy Head of Mission Michael Tatham – United Kingdom
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