Ashkenazi in Brussels for NATO forum
In first visit outside of Israel as IDF chief of staff, Ashkenazi to with meet with counterparts, discuss lessons from Second Lebanon War
In a marathon of meetings, Ashkenazi is to meet with NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer as well as other senior officials from the organization. He will also sit down with chiefs of staff from various NATO-allied states, as well as with US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen.
The top IDF general is expected to discuss lessons learned form the Second Lebanon War and how they have been applied in Israel.
The IDF said that the issues Ashkenazi will touch on during the summit will include: Israeli security challenges, the security situation in the Middle East, the ongoing war on terrorism, and IDF-NATO ties.
Ashkenazi's predecessor, Dan Halutz, participated in a similar forum with his deputy at the time, Major-General Moshe Kaplinski. This time however, Ashkenazi is expected to deliver a speech to forum attendees.
This will be Ashkenazi's first visit outside of Israel since being promoted to IDF chief of staff. He is scheduled to return to Israel on Wednesday night.
