Brussels, June 26 (IANS): NATO on Friday appointed Gen. Petr Pavel, previously the chief of defence of the Czech Republic, as the new chairman of the NATO Military Committee.

The former chairman Gen. Knud Bartels leaves his position after a three-and-half-year term, Xinhua reported.

At the farewell ceremony attended by senior NATO military officials, Gen. Bartels laid a wreath at the NATO Memorial to honor the servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in NATO-led missions and operations.

Addressing the Military Committee, Gen. Bartels thanked them for their work and their contribution in delivering timely military advice to the North Atlantic Council during his time as chairman.

NATO said in the press release: "This is an important moment in the history of the Alliance as Gen. Pavel is the first representative of a former Warsaw Pact nation to become chairman of the Military Committee."

Pavel said in his speech that he would be starting his tenure at "an interesting but demanding time for the Alliance characterised by significant changes in the security environment."