DEFENCEAND SECURITY

238 DSCTC 12 E rev. 1 Original: English

SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSATLANTIC DEFENCE AND SECURITY CO-OPERATION (DSCTC)

VISIT TO AND

20 – 24/25 JANUARY 2013

DRAFT PROGRAMME AND LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

International Secretariat January 2013 238 DSCTC 12 E rev. 1 1

DRAFT PROGRAMME

The aim of this visit is to examine the contribution of the armed forces of NATO member countries and of others in Bahrain and Qatar to the security and stability of the region. Qatar is a key strategic base for the transatlantic Allies’ and partner countries’ missions in the region and Bahrain is the centre for maritime operations.

Important notice: All meetings, speakers and venues are subject to change and in some cases we anticipate minor changes and updates to this programme up to the day of the meetings.

All participants are required to carry their passports including a valid visa for Bahrain and Qatar with them at all times.

You can reach Andrea Pretis, the Committee Co-ordinator, on +32 477 310 620 if you have any queries.

SUNDAY 20 JANUARY , BAHRAIN

Please note: A special pick-up service between the Bahrain International Airport and the Gulf Hotel Bahrain has been arranged for every participant. Please therefore inform Andrea Pretis ([email protected] / +32 477 310 620) about any last minute changes of your itinerary.

Accommodation The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Contact: Ozino Cardoz, Reservations Manager Address: P.O. Box 580, Manama / Bani Otbah Avenue in Adliya, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: +973 17 746344 Fax: +973 17 712088 Email: [email protected] Website: http://gulfhotelbahrain.com/ 238 DSCTC 12 E rev. 1 2

MONDAY 21 JANUARY MANAMA, BAHRAIN

8.30 – 9.30 Briefing Breakfast with H.E. Iain Lindsay, UK Ambassador to Bahrain and Commander Chris Moorey, Royal Navy UK Defence Attache Venue: Fusions Restaurant, Gulf Hotel Bahrain

10.00 – 11.00 Requested meetings (tbc) with:  H.H. Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief  H.E. Lieutenant General Sheikh Dr Mohammed Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Minister of State for Defence Affairs

11.00 – 12.00 Briefing on the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) at BDF Headquarters

12.00 – 13.30 Lunch at the BDF (tbc) or Gulf Hotel Bahrain

13.30 – 15.30 Briefings at the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Joint Headquarters (HQ) by the CMF and the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) Venue: Naval Support Activity (NSA) = US Naval Base

15.30 – 15.45 Transfer from the CMF Joint HQ to Mina Salman

15.45 – 16.45 Visit to Royal Navy Mine Countermeasures Vessel (MCMV-Avenger Class)

16.45 – 17.00 Transfer from Mina Salman Port to the Gulf Hotel Bahrain

19.15 Departure to the British Embassy from the Gulf Hotel Bahrain

19.30 Reception hosted by H.E. Iain Lindsay, UK Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain with other NATO Ambassadors and Bahraini Defense Officials

TUESDAY 22 JANUARY MANAMA, BAHRAIN / DOHA, QATAR

8.15 Departure by bus from the Gulf Hotel Bahrain

8.15 – 9.00 Transfer from the Gulf Hotel Bahrain to Sheik

9.00 – 10.45 Visit of Sheik Isa Air Base (tbc)  Briefings by Major General Sheik Hamad bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Bahraini (RBAF)  Briefings by US Marine Corps (USMC) detachment leadership  Walking and bus tour of base facilities 238 DSCTC 12 E rev. 1 3

10.45 – 11.30 Transfer from Sheik Isa Air Base to the Gulf Hotel Bahrain

11.30 – 12.45 Lunch at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain (time for late check-out, luggage storage at the hotel and individual lunch)

12.45 – 13.00 Transfer from Gulf Hotel Bahrain to US Naval Base

13.00 – 15.00 Briefings from the US Fifth Fleet / US Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT) Venue: Naval Support Activity (NSA) = US Naval Base

15.00 – 15.15 Transfer from US Naval Base to Mina Salman Port

15.15 – 16.30 Visit to US Navy Patrol Craft Mine Countermeasures Vessel

16.30 – 16.45 Transfer from Mina Salman Port to the Gulf Hotel Bahrain

16.45 – 17.00 Pick-up of stored luggage at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain and transfer to airport bus

17.00 Departure to Bahrain International Airport from Gulf Hotel

Recommended connecting flight: Gulf Air (GF 530) Departure: 18.45 from Bahrain International Airport (BAH) Arrival: 19.30 at Doha International Airport (DOH)

Accommodation The Hilton Doha Contact: Silmiya Hendricks – Director of Sales Address: Diplomatic District Street, West Bay Area PO Box 24572, Doha, Qatar Tel: +974 4423 3333 Fax: +974 4423 3000 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/qatar/hilton- doha-DOHHDHI/index.html

WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY DOHA, QATAR

9.00 – 10.00 Briefing Meeting (no breakfast) with H.E. Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, the Ambassador of France to Qatar, and H.E. Michael O’Neill, the Ambassador of the to Qatar Venue: The Hilton Doha

10.00 – 10.25 Transport to Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Headquarters

10.30 – 11.30 Briefings by  Major General Mubarrak Al-Khayareen, Commander of QEAF,  Brigadier Ahmed Al-Malki, Operations Commander, Fighter Wing and Detachment Commander to Suda Bay 238 DSCTC 12 E rev. 1 4

11.30 – 12.00 Tour of QEAF Mirage Aircraft by pilots involved in Libyan operations

12.00 – 12.15 Transfer to Doha Port

12.00 – 14.00 Light lunch on board of British Royal Navy Warship, followed by operational briefings and tours

14.00 – 15.00 Transfer to Al-Udeid Air Base

15.00 – 16.30 Briefing from US Combined Force Air Component Commander (CFACC) Lt General Goldfein or Deputy Commander Major General Jones Tour of Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC)

16.30 – 17.30 Transport to hotel

19.50 Departure from the hotel to the Residency of the Ambassador of France to Qatar

20.00 Dinner hosted by H.E. Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, the Ambassador of France to Qatar with Ambassadors of other NATO member states

THURSDAY 24 JANUARY DOHA, QATAR

9:00 (time tbc) Departure by bus from the Hilton Doha

9.00 – 9.10 (time tbc) Transport to the Ministry of Interior of Qatar

9.10 – 10.30 (time tbc) Meeting with H.E. Dr Khalid Al-Attiyah, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

10.30 – 11.00 (tbc) Transport to Georgetown University or Qatar International Academy for Strategic Studies (tbc)

11.25 – 13.00 (tbc) Round table discussion or working lunch with Ambassadors of NATO member countries to Qatar (tbc)

Evening/next morning Individual departure of participants

End of the meetings 238 DSCTC 12 E rev. 1 5

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

OFFICER OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON TRANSATLANTIC DEFENCE AND SECURITY CO-OPERATION (DSCTC)

Chairman Sir John STANLEY United Kingdom

Vice-Chairperson Madeleine MOON United Kingdom

Rapporteur Nicole AMELINE France (Vice-President of NATO PA)

MEMBER OF THE BUREAU OF NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY (NATO PA)

Vice-President Julio MIRANDA CALHA (Vice-Chairman, Defence and Security Committee)

MEMBER DELEGATIONS

Belgium Gerald KINDERMANS Bulgaria Kostadin YAZOV Croatia Boris BLAZEKOVIC Davor BOZINOVIC Estonia Marko MIHKELSON Sven MIKSER (General Rapporteur, Defence and Security Committee) France Gilbert LE BRIS Xavier PINTAT (Rapporteur, Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defence Capabilities) Daniel REINER Greece Georgios KALANTZIS Netherlands Franklin van KAPPEN Norway Sverre MYRLI Spain Vicente FERRER Diego LOPEZ GARRIDO Turkey Mehmet Vecdi GONUL Akif Cagatay KILIC United Kingdom Jason MCCARTNEY

DELEGATION STAFF

Belgium Patrick DELODDER Delegation Secretary France Vincent TOCANNE Delegation Secretary 238 DSCTC 12 E rev. 1 6

INTERPRETERS

English-French Isabelle NISSEN English-French Christine WAUTERS English-French Christine VANSTALLE

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT

Director, Defense and Security Committee Heather L. MESSERA Co-ordinator, Defense and Security Committee Andrea PRETIS