BRUSSELS -- NATO defense ministers on Wednesday took key decisions on strengthening the Alliance's defense, including bolstering the NATO response force, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced at a press conference here following the meeting.
The defense ministers decided to increase the sum of NATO Response Force (NRF) personnel to up to 40,000, from the previous level of 13,000.
They also adopted further measures to speed up political and military decision-making.
"Detailed advance planning and rapid decision making are two sides of the same coin. They mean we are able to respond more rapidly and more effectively to threats," said Stoltenberg.
NATO Allies also finalized details on the six small headquarters being set up in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania.
"They will each consist of around 40 people, and will play a key role in planning, exercises, and assisting potential reinforcement," the secretary general explained.
In addition, NATO decided to establish a new joint logistics headquarters to facilitate the rapid movement of forces when necessary.
"We have just taken another step forward in adapting NATO to our changed and more challenging security environment," said Stoltenberg. Enditem
