WASHINGTON — NATO elected to join the global coalition fighting the Islamic State group at its meeting in Brussels last week, but "this doesn't mean it will become a NATO mission or that NATO forces will engage in operations in combat," according to the alliance's deputy secretary general.

"Instead it will help as to coordinate better with coalition members and it is a strong symbol of our commitment to the fight against terrorism," Rose Gottemoeller told NATO's Parliamentary Assembly on Monday in the country of Georgia.

Gottemoeller said NATO currently has 13,000 allied and partner troops in Afghanistan that train and assist Afghan forces. Following last week's meeting, NATO will be increasing this effort.

NATO will also boost the use of its AWACS surveillance aircraft to facilitate airspace management. She said several allies have offered up airspace for refueling.

Gottemoeller emphasized the importance of information sharing and coordination in the defense of allied nations against ISIS.

To this effect, NATO plans to establish a terrorism intelligence division within its intelligence unit in Brussels, and the secretary-general will appoint a counterterrorism coordinator.

The coordinator will be tasked with directing the establishment of a center in Naples for monitoring and assessing regional threats, including terrorism, and efforts to improve NATO's Special Operations Headquarters.

Members of NATO are expected to more fully share the burden of these efforts.

Gottemoeller said member nations have agreed to publish annual national plans that detail monetary and capability contributions. These plans will be evaluated and discussed at the February meeting of defense ministers.

"These plans will ensure that every nation keeps up the momentum, that every nation plays its part and that burden sharing of our security," she said.

U.K. parliamentary member Michael Jopling asked Gottemoeller why she is hopeful about nations keeping their pledges to contribute more. "We have 19 members of the alliance still spending less than 1.5 percent [gross domestic product], three of our allies spending less than 1 percent," he said.

Gottemoeller explained that 2 percent of GDP was only one of the three markers that NATO would consider, and it does not measure troops, equipment or other important contributions a nation could make to NATO.

She also said that since 2014, defense spending on NATO has increased by approximately $10 billion, as of 2016.

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