Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew J. Shapiro will travel to Brussels, Belgium, October 10-15, 2011.

In Brussels, Assistant Secretary Shapiro will consult with senior civilian and military officials from NATO and the European Union to build on political-military initiatives aimed at meeting shared security challenges, including European defense planning, NATO’s “Smart Defense” initiative, post-conflict support to Libya, and ongoing international efforts to safeguard shipping from pirate attacks in the waters off the Horn of Africa.

Assistant Secretary Shapiro will also deliver remarks on expanding U.S.-European cooperation in defense exports and technology at a NATO-sponsored conference, and will take part in an informal session of the EU Political and Security Committee to discuss international efforts to support Libya’s Transitional National Council as it moves to secure its stockpiles of conventional weapons, including shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, also known as Man-Portable Air Defense Systems, or (MANPADS).