The Atlantic Council hosted Danish Minister of Defense Gitte Lillelund Bech for a NATO Forum strategy session on her first visit to the United States as Minister and only days after she took office. Atlantic Council Board Director and former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe General Joseph Ralston, now Vice Chairman at The Cohen Group, hosted and moderated the discussion.

Minister Lillelund Bech offered an indefatigable and articulate defense of the Alliance operation in Afghanistan and the commitment to defend democratic values.  Participants, including members of the Strategic Advisors Group, debated key issues facing the Alliance as it develops a new Strategic Concept, including how to mobilize political and public support in Allied nations, and considered Denmark’s contribution within the Alliance.

More on Minister Lillelund Bech:

While serving as a Member of the Danish Parliament and European Parliament, Minister Bech has previously served with distinction as Vice-chairwoman of the Defense Committee, and more recently, Chairwoman of the Foreign Policy Committee. She is Denmark’s first female Minister of Defense.

The NATO Forum is generously supported by BAE Systems.