As part of the transformational effort of the Alliance, the NATO Military Authorities Intelligence Coordination Group (NMAICG) indicated shortfalls and difficulties in the use of HUMINT in theatres of operations, lack of properly trained HUMINT personnel, as well as the lack of a NATO doctrine and a validation exercise based on common standards.
One of the answers to the problem was the establishment, in 2004, of the NATO Human Intelligence Working Group (NHWG), vested with the appropriate expertise and authority to coordinate the development of HUMINT doctrine and policy and to establish guidelines and interoperability requirements for HUMINT operations in NATO theatres of engagement.
Additionally, it was established the need of an organization able to offer to the Alliance the operational/strategic expertise for HUMINT development, to test HUMINT tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), to develop specific projects, to evaluate technologies, equipment and systems for HUMINT operational structures.
The establishment of such an organization within NATO, had to fall in the legal framework established by MCM 236-03 (Military Committee Concept for NATO Centres of Excellence, 04 Dec 2003) and IMSM 0416-04 (NATO Centres of Excellence Accreditation criteria, 11 June 2004), and to undergo the following process:
Forward of the official offer to establish a COE, along with the COE Concept;
Create the multinational COE with an Initial Operational Capability (IOC);
Establish and sign the Functional MOU with HQ SACT, and the Operational MOU with Participating Nations;
Accreditation of the COE as a NATO Centre and its activation as an International Military Organization (Paris Protocol);
Achievement of the Full Operational Capability (FOC) – performance as a COE.
Romania had taken the opportunity of exploiting its commitment in the HUMINT field, launching the offer to establish and host, as Framework Nation, the NATO HUMINT COE.
Along with other nations, Romania has been present with HUMINT forces in Theatres of Operations, providing an essential support to local NATO commanders and significant experience to be used to the benefit of the Alliance. Therefore, NATO SCs (ACT and ACO) have fully supported the initiative.
After receiving the NATO formal acceptance, Romania has decided to set up the HUMINT COE nucleus in Oradea city.
During the following negotiation process in 2009, 5 NATO Nations have joined together – Greece, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey, with a confident outlook on further members.