Why are the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Oslo?

Why are the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Oslo?
NATO normally holds two meetings of Foreign Ministers per year: a formal meeting in the autumn that takes place at NATO headquarters in Brussels, and an informal meeting each spring, held in one of the NATO member countries. Extraordinary meetings, such as the extraordinary meeting of Foreign Ministers that took place in Brussels in January this year, are held as needed.

The NATO member countries take it in turns to host the informal meetings of ministers. Norway last hosted a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in 1992. It also hosted a meeting of Defence Ministers in Bergen in 1996.  

What does “informal” signify in this context?
A: At the formal meetings, the ministers make decisions on specific issues, and official declarations/communiqués are adopted. This is not normally done at the informal meetings, which offer an opportunity for freer discussions with fewer senior officials present. Such discussions often revolve around strategic political issues and choices for the Alliance. In practice, however, there is often little difference between the two meeting formats. For example, informal meetings often include formal meeting sessions at which policy decisions are made and declarations are adopted. 

Who participates in the meetings?
The meetings are attended by the Foreign Ministers and delegates from all 26 NATO member countries. The meetings are chaired by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. NATO military staff representatives also attend. These include the Chairman of the Military Committee, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT).  

There will also be a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Oslo on this occasion, and other meetings are being considered. 

What will the ministers be discussing in Oslo?
At the meeting, the ministers will be discussing a number of matters of great political importance to NATO. The situation in Afghanistan and developments in the Balkans will probably be high up on the agenda, as will more general issues related to the enlargement of NATO and relations with the various groups of partner countries. The focus of the meetings will also depend on the international situation at the time they take place. 

What does Norway hope to achieve at the meeting?
Norway wants to help to adapt the Alliance to the security challenges of tomorrow, which require that an integrated view is taken of military and other measures. Cooperation with other international actors is vital. As host of the meeting, Norway wants to ensure that the event is as open and inclusive as possible, and that it facilitates fruitful political discussion among the ministers.