NATO rushes to set up six international command and control centers

NATO will immediately establish six international centers of command and control in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said it at a press conference during a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels on Thursday.

"During a crisis, they will ensure that national forces and forces of NATO allies will be able to act as a single unit from scratch," he said of the purpose of the centers.

"In addition, they will contribute to rapid deployment, will support planning for collective defense, and will help to coordinate education and training," he said.

"These units will consist of staff from NATO and the host country and will be established there on a permanent basis," Stoltenberg said.