Change in the Position of the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee

General Pavel was elected by the Chiefs of Defence of the Alliance in 2014 during the Military Conference in Vilnius, and he took over the post from General Knud Bartels (Rtd) on June 26 2015.

On June 29 2018, General Pavel started his last day as Chairman, in the presence of NATO and Partner Military representatives, by paying his respects to the memory of all those men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our security, and laid a wreath at the NATO Memorial to the Fallen, then he planted a lime tree, the national tree of the Czech Republic on the grounds of NATO Headquarters.

The Military Committee bade farewell to the General at their extraordinary session. The senior military officer of the body, the German military representative in his speech highlighted that three years ago General Pavel took up his position as the Chairman of a committee that was operating at an increased tempo in consequence of the dramatic changes taking place in the security environment. In his reply speech General Pavel remarked that when he started his military career, Czechoslovakia was part of the Warsaw Pact: never did he imagine, that he would one day be elected by the Allied Chiefs of Defence, and become Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. He thanked the Military Representatives for their dedication, hard work and support. He acknowledged that while it was not always easy to achieve consensus, the trust in the Alliance and its core values guaranteed that unfettered military advice was always provided.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, following his inauguration, emphasised that he takes a pride that he can fulfil this post in a crucial period of the Alliance’s history and expressed his appreciation to General Pavel for his excellent work and efforts made so far.

The position of the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee has been held by nineteen persons to date. Germany could delegate her representatives five times, the United Kingdom four times, Canada, Italy and Norway twice each, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark and the Netherlands once to the prominent post.