Category: NATO

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Allied Foreign Ministers discuss report by Group of Experts on NATO’s southern neighbourhood

Source: NATO

Meeting in Brussels on 4 and 5 April, Foreign Ministers discussed the findings of the review conducted by an independent Group of Experts on NATO’s approach on its southern neighbourhood. The review highlights the linkage between the security of NATO’s southern neighbourhoods – North Africa, the Middle East, the Sahel region and adjacent regions – and that of NATO Allies. It also underscores that deep-rooted localized challenges are now exacerbated by global strategic competition and threat-multipliers, such as climate change.

The Group of Experts pointed out that NATO should continue to adopt a comprehensive approach based on dialogue, outreach and practical cooperation with international and regional organisations and partner countries. The Group found that NATO should focus its efforts particularly on areas such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, resilience, climate security, Women, Peace and Security and human security. It should invest further in training and building partners’ capacity to manage complex security challenges within their neighbourhoods. At the Washington Summit in July, NATO Heads of State and Government will consider concrete proposals informed by the review’s findings.

The independent Group of Experts was appointed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg last October. It was composed of eleven experts and engaged with the North Atlantic Council, senior Allied civilian and military staff, NATO partners in the southern neighbourhood, as well as experts from academia and civil society. 

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Secretary General welcomes young content creators to NATO Headquarters

Source: NATO

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed nine young content creators from Europe and North America – Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, UK and US – to NATO Headquarters on Friday (5 April 2024) as part of the “Protect the Future” campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of and support for NATO among young audiences across the Alliance, and gives them a voice in NATO’s ongoing adaptation.

The Secretary General thanked the content creators for their interest, said that NATO’s 75th anniversary – celebrated on Thursday – was an opportunity to remind the Alliance’s one billion citizens of NATO’s enduring value in dangerous times. 

Together, the nine creators reach millions of followers around the world across key social media platforms. The group also met senior officials including Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy Marie-Doha Besancenot and NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah.

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Meet Oana Lungescu, the longest-serving and first woman NATO Spokesperson

Source: NATO

In 2010, Oana Lungescu became the first woman, first former journalist and first person born in the former Eastern Bloc to take up the position of NATO Spokesperson. Over her 13-year tenure, Oana served two Secretaries General and oversaw the Alliance’s communications at significant milestones in Euro-Atlantic security. But how did Oana’s childhood in communist Romania impact her journey to NATO? What did the fall of the Berlin Wall mean for her? And how has NATO’s relationship with Russia evolved during her tenure?

From the Eastern Bloc to NATO

“I grew up on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain,” begins Oana. She grew up under the authoritarian rule of Nicolae Ceaușescu – the leader of one of the most repressive regimes in the Eastern Bloc, where NATO was considered enemy number one. “We had very little to eat, no heating, and could not travel. We were expected to spy on each other. However, our minds remained free. I grew up listening to foreign radio stations, literally hidden under the bed covers, for fear that my neighbours would report me to the dreaded Securitate – the secret police. For my family, NATO was always a beacon of light.”

The Securitate later tried to recruit her as an informer in exchange for cancer drugs for her dying father. She refused, and years later, recorded several BBC documentaries about finding her Securitate files. Eventually, she was able to join her mother in Germany and started working as a journalist for the BBC World Service. Having witnessed the brutality of a communist regime, she vividly recalls 1989, the year when communism ended in Central and Eastern Europe. “I was covering these events from the BBC World Service in London. When the Berlin Wall fell, we knew that it was part of a long chain of dominoes falling across Europe. Those were dramatic and amazing moments. Just to see the happiness that freedom can bring to people. I still look back to 1989 as a year of grace.”

Oana then became a BBC Europe correspondent, working from Brussels and later Berlin, covering EU and NATO affairs.

“In 1997, when I told my editors that NATO and EU enlargement would be a big story, few thought it would happen,” she says. While the former communist countries were implementing significant reforms to join the Alliance, NATO also reached out to Russia to establish a partnership, which continued until Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. In 1999, Czechia, Hungary and Poland joined NATO. In 2004, another seven countries – including Romania – became members of the Alliance in the largest round of enlargement to date. “Being there and watching the flags of Romania and all the other countries that joined at the same time being raised was one of the most emotional moments in my life. I probably shed a tear,” Oana admits. ”This was a homecoming: countries that belonged to the Euro-Atlantic family, but had been kept apart for so many decades, were finally coming home.”

In 2010, Oana became the NATO Spokesperson. “My friends expected my tenure to be uneventful and one asked me if I was going to wear a uniform!” Proving the opposite, Oana would become known for her colourful jackets, which made her stand out in what was still at that time a male-dominated organisation. As a senior advisor to the NATO Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council, she was in charge of NATO messaging, including interviews, press conferences and speeches, engaging with media across the world, and leading the Alliance’s crisis communications. “Being Spokesperson is like playing chess. You need to communicate and engage with the media, but also coordinate internally, both with our military commands and with Allies.” She stresses that ‘communications is a team sport’ and is grateful to her small but dedicated team, including press officers, speechwriters, media monitors and analysts, social media officers and assistants. “I could not have done it without them,” she says.

Directing NATO communications during turbulent times

Oana’s tenure as Spokesperson coincided with the most turbulent period since the Cold War, including a breakdown in relations between NATO and Russia. “The NATO Summit in Lisbon in 2010 was the first high-level event that I attended as Spokesperson. At the time, we aspired towards a strategic partnership with Russia, and Medvedev, who was then Russian president, attended the Summit. I remember telling the Russian delegation that their President could not address the media before the Secretary General and President Obama at the end of the Summit as they wanted – those were the issues we had with Russia at that time. Now, it is a very different world.”

When Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, Oana recalls a significant change in NATO’s efforts to fight disinformation with facts. “We were the first international organisation to set up a portal called ‘Setting the record straight’, which takes apart Russia’s key disinformation narratives,” Oana explains. NATO also relied on satellite imagery more deliberately to expose the movements of Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders.

By the end of 2021, as Russia was planning its full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, Oana and her team shifted from debunking disinformation to prebunking – calling out Russia’s plans and false narratives in advance so that audiences would see them for what they were. “In every press conference, every speech made by the Secretary General, we were uncovering Russia’s plans and intentions. By declassifying an unprecedented amount of intelligence, we were exposing the public to the reality on the ground.”

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched its full-scale invasion. “It was a shock, but not a surprise,” says Oana. “Seeing Russia amass their troops and capabilities and bring blood banks to the border had indicated that the invasion was imminent.”

“We expected the invasion to start around 04:00 in the morning,” continues Oana. “I knew it would be a short night. When I came to the office very early on that grey February morning, the press team was already present, we were alerting our leadership in real time as to what we were seeing in the media space and we were ready to go to the North Atlantic Council meeting. We were prepared. NATO was prepared.”

Breaking the glass ceiling

Oana admits that at the time of her appointment in 2010, it was an unusual choice to employ a woman to the position of NATO Spokesperson. But it was also a signal of a more inclusive NATO. “According to the polls, it is women who perhaps know less about NATO and therefore are less inclined to support it. It was an important sign to women across the Alliance that they are part of security and defence. They have to be part of the solution.”

Life after NATO

On 18 July 2023, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg presented Oana with the NATO Meritorious Service Medal. She remains engaged in the conversation about security and defence, as a Distinguished Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the leading UK defence and security think-tank, and a Senior Adviser to the European Policy Centre (EPC), writing and engaging with international media.

After 13 years with the Alliance, Oana remains passionate about NATO. “For me, joining the Alliance was not a career step, it was a mission. And even if I’m now retired from NATO, it remains a cornerstone of who I am.”

Oana Lungescu’s message for the Alliance’s 75th anniversary

NATO, stay strong and stay united. If we stand united, Europe and North America, we can face every challenge, as we have done over the past 75 years, especially now at a time when we see autocracies coming closer together, like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. This is an existential moment; what we do or do not do will change the face of the world for generations to come.

This article is part of the 75th anniversary #WeAreNATO series.

These interviews feature former NATO staff members who share their personal stories and first-hand experiences related to the Alliance’s key moments and historic turning points, such as the Cold War and 1989, the first out-of-area missions, partnerships, 9/11 and more.

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Foreign Ministers mark NATO’s 75th anniversary, meet with Ukraine, Indo-Pacific partners, European Union

Source: NATO

Foreign Ministers concluded two days of talks in Brussels on Thursday (4 April 2024) with a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, and another meeting with Indo-Pacific partners and the European Union. Thursday marked 75 years since NATO’s founding. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the landmark, saying: “since 1949, we have been the strongest and most successful Alliance in history.”

Speaking at the end of the ministerial, Mr Stoltenberg welcomed that Allies continue to step up with new support to Ukraine. “In recent days, this includes nearly 600 million euros from Germany for the Czech-led artillery initiative; as well as 10,000 drones from the United Kingdom; more missiles and armoured vehicles from France; and just yesterday, a new package of aid from Finland worth 188 million euros,” he said. He added: “we need to do even more, and we need to put our support on an even firmer and more enduring basis.” Allies have now agreed to move forward with planning for a greater NATO role in coordinating necessary security assistance and training for Ukraine.

Foreign Ministers also discussed the global implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine, including support for Moscow from China, North Korea and Iran. Allies were joined by Indo-Pacific partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea, as well as the European Union. Together, ministers discussed how to enhance cooperation in responding to cyber and hybrid threats, as well as new technologies and defence industrial production. “As authoritarian powers increasingly align, NATO and its partners must stand united to defend a global order governed by law, not by force,” said the Secretary General. 

On Wednesday, NATO Foreign Ministers met to address NATO’s support to Ukraine, as well as security challenges in the Alliance’s southern neighbourhood.

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Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels

Source: NATO

Good afternoon.

Today marks 75 years since NATO’s founding.
Since 1949, we have been the strongest and most successful Alliance in history.

This morning we marked the anniversary at NATO headquarters, and, in July, Allies will celebrate this milestone at our Summit in Washington.

Earlier today, I chaired a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

Minister Kuleba updated Allies on Ukraine’s short and long-term needs, and on the progress of its reforms.

The situation on the battlefield remains serious.
Ukraine needs more air defences, more ammunition, and more aid.

I welcome that Allies continue to step up with major new announcements.
In recent days, this includes nearly 600 million euros from Germany for the Czech-led artillery initiative.
As well as 10,000 drones from the United Kingdom.
More missiles and armoured vehicles from France.
And just yesterday, a new package of aid from Finland worth 188 million euros.

But we need to do even more.
And we need to put our support on an even firmer and more enduring basis.

Yesterday, Allies agreed to move forward with planning for a greater NATO role in coordinating necessary security assistance and training for Ukraine.
This work will continue in the weeks ahead.

Today I also chaired a meeting of Foreign Ministers with our Indo-Pacific partners Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as the European Union.

We discussed the global implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine, including the support for Russia from China, North Korea and Iran.

As authoritarian powers increasingly align,
NATO and its partners must stand united to defend a global order governed by law, not by force.

We also discussed how to enhance our cooperation in responding to cyber and hybrid threats, as well as new technologies, and defence industrial production.

With that, I am ready to take your questions.

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Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs with Indo-Pacific Partners and the EU

Source: NATO

(As delivered)

Welcome to all of you, we’re ready to start. Welcome to this meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers, together with our partners from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Republic of Korea and the European Union.

We know that our security is not regional, it is global. The war in Ukraine illustrates this clearly. Russia’s friends in Asia are vital for continuing this war of aggression. China is propping up Russia’s war economy. In return, Moscow is mortgaging its future to Beijing.

North Korea and Iran are delivering substantial supplies of weapons and ammunition. In return, Pyongyang and Tehran are receiving Russian technology and supplies that help them to advance their missile and nuclear capabilities.

This has regional and global security consequences. As authoritarian powers become more aligned, it is important that like-minded nations around the world stand together, to defend a global order ruled by law, not by force.

Today, we will discuss how to best, to work together, towards this end. We also have much to gain from practical cooperation, including in the context of technology, cyber and hybrid threats, as well as in our support to Ukraine. All of this matters for European security and for Indo Pacific security. This ends the public part of the meeting and I thank the media for joining us at the top of the meeting and the meeting will continue in just a moment. Thank you so much.

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Speeches by Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of NATO’s 75th anniversary celebration

Source: NATO

NATO Spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah
We will now proceed with the speeches by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Allies celebrating their 25th, 20th and 15th accession anniversaries. First, I invite the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Czechia, Hungary and Poland to step forward and to each deliver a short address on their 25th NATO accession anniversary. Nous allons à présent entendre les allocutions des ministres des affaires étrangères des alliés qui fêtent le 25e, le 20e, ou le 15e anniversaire de leur adhésion. J’invite d’abord les ministres des affaires étrangères de la Tchéquie, de la Hongrie, et de la Pologne à s’avancer pour prononcer tour à tour une brève allocution sur le 25e anniversaire de l’adhésion de leur pays à l’OTAN.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czechia, Jan Lipavský
Secretary General, ministers, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Our accession to NATO in 1989 was a clear signal that the long standing division of the European continent was ending. It was an important milestone and the best embodiment of the fundamental principle that every country has the right to choose its own security arrangement. For almost a quarter of a century we have been working hard to achieve the goal of a Europe whole, free, at peace. Today that vision seems very distant, but so did our NATO accession in 1989. While signing the NATO Accession Protocol, the late President Václav Havel said “it gives us hope that our country will never again be sacrificed to an aggressor”. And at the same time, it expresses a clear commitment to share responsibility for the freedom of nations, human rights, democratic values and peace on our continent. Russian aggression against Ukraine gives those words new urgency for my country. This commitment is as relevant as it was 25 years ago. We know where we are coming from. The struggles of our ancestors must not and will not come to nothing. Thank you.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó
Secretary General, dear colleagues, dear friends. 25 years ago, Hungary has rejoined a community. The community of free and sovereign nations of the Euro-Atlantic world, a region where we always belonged to at heart, but a 40-year long communist oppression has kept us physically away. Our accession to NATO has honoured all the desire, all the struggle, and all the fight of generations of Hungarian people for freedom. We are proud of our predecessors. We are proud of our predecessors who have never given up the hope. They have not given up the hope not even under the darkest years of the communist dictatorship, when Hungarian people felt to be left totally alone. But now we are a proud member of the world’s strongest defence Alliance. And we are proud to be a reliable Ally. A reliable Ally which contributes and is committed to contribute to the safety and security of our community. We are proud to be here and our predecessors are proud as well that we are finally here. Thank you.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski
Ladies and gentlemen, when NATO was founded, my country, Poland, was trapped on the wrong side. Communist Soviet domination meant that if it came to war, Polish soldiers would have had to obey the orders of our enemies in order to fight our friends, a tragic situation. Fortunately, the evil empire has collapsed under the weight of its cruelty and its contradictions. We were determined to join NATO in 1999 because we felt it in our bones that the window of opportunity will not last forever. We tried to embrace Russia, but we knew that the potential for violence was there. Unfortunately, Russia is on the march again. But happily, we are where we belong, in the company of democracies, among friends at home, resisting again, like a rock. Let’s prevail again. Thank you.

NATO Spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah
I now invite the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia to step forward and to each deliver a shorter dress on their 20th NATO accession anniversary. J’invite à présent les ministres des affaires étrangères de la Bulgarie, de l’Estonie, de la Lettonie, de la Lituanie, de la Roumanie, de la Slovaquie et de la Slovénie à s’avancer pour prononcer tour à tour une brève allocution sur le 20e anniversaire de l’adhésion de leur pays à l’OTAN.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Mariya Gabriel
Secrétaire Général, Mesdames et Messieurs les Ministres, vos excellences. L’OTAN parce que nous sommes plus forts ensemble, c’est le slogan que la jeunesse bulgare a choisi pour marquer toutes les initiatives et les événements qui vont se dérouler en cette année d’anniversaire. 75 ans OTAN, 20 ans adhésion de la Bulgarie dans l’OTAN. L’adhésion à l’OTAN pour la Bulgarie n’était pas un objectif stratégique de politique étrangère seulement, c’était une cause parmi les plus nobles parce qu’adhère à l’OTAN, c’est tout d’abord adhérer à des valeurs de la démocratie, de la paix, de la liberté. C’est aussi un engagement, contribuer à la sécurité collective. C’est aussi un partage d’expérience et de bonnes pratiques. C’est ainsi que vous pouvez compter sur la Bulgarie pour continuer à mettre sur l’agenda l’importance stratégique de la mer Noire et de Balkans de l’Ouest. Mais c’est aussi une inspiration. L’adhésion à l’OTAN a été une source d’inspiration pour des réformes importantes dans le pays et c’est ici que je prends quelques secondes pour adresser mes remerciements à toutes les générations d’hommes et femmes politiques, militaires, le monde académique, la société civile qui ont contribué pour que l’OTAN et la Bulgarie soient là où nous sommes aujourd’hui, parce que nous sommes aujourd’hui une famille de valeurs. Nous montrons la force de notre approche, ce que c’est la coopération et ainsi assurer la sécurité. Nous montrons aussi comment on sait transformer les défis en des opportunités. Merci de rester unis. Vous pouvez compter sur une Bulgarie qui sera toujours là pour défendre ses valeurs et soyons très claire: la liberté, la paix ne sont pas des dogmes, elles se protègent tous les jours. Merci chers alliés de le faire ensemble. Merci. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna
Secretary General, ladies and gentlemen. When Estonia regained our independence in 1991 we decided one important thing: never be alone again. Because we were under 50 years of the Soviet Union occupation and we lost one fifth of our population. We made a crazy decision to join NATO. And it would seem to be impossible at this time. And the reason was that neutrality policy in the neighbourhood of Russia meant the green light for occupation and aggression. Unfortunately, this situation is the same. Russia is still an aggressive country and neutrality policy is still a green light for aggression from Russian side. That’s how we feel, that it is not impossible, it is not crazy idea, to bring in to NATO these nations who would like to join, as Ukraine, because we have experienced this momentum. I can say you, dear friends, that without this membership of NATO and European Union, I couldn’t stand here in front of you, as a Foreign Minister of independent Estonia, because probably we would have had an aggression from the east side. We believe in principle, one for all, all for one, and we will never be alone again. Long live NATO!

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Krišjānis Kariņš
Dear friends, 1949 was a great year and also a tragic year. It was a great year because this is when the NATO Alliance was founded. And it was a tragic year because in that year, in my country, in Estonia, and in Lithuania tens of thousands of people were deported to Siberia under the Soviet occupation. And it took us another 41 years until we regained our independence to rejoin the family of nations that enjoy the basic values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. When we had the opportunity to join NATO 20 years ago, this opened an entirely new chapter to us. And we understood that this family, all for one and one for all, cuts both ways. So when NATO said “we need your help in Afghanistan”, we responded to the call. Our brave soldiers fought, and some died, fighting shoulder to shoulder with other NATO Allies. We are currently in the KFOR mission and we are investing heavily in our own defence, about 3% of GDP this year. And we are also grateful that, as we see the Russian aggression and the war in Ukraine, NATO Allies have responded to our collective call for reinforcing the eastern flank. So as we went when we were called, we are extremely grateful that all Allies are responding to the call. And the eastern flank today is extremely strong because we are all together. Let us not forget why we are working together. We work together to protect the basic freedoms of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. These are not a given. These are values that must be fought for and must we must remain vigilant constantly. Let us stay together. Let us be strong together. Thank you very much.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis
Dear friends, dear Allies, so many good words have been said today about NATO’s achievement throughout 75 years. Where my country is concerned, the greatest victory of NATO in a Cold War made so that my country was able to reappear as an independent and sovereign country on Europe’s map. Unfortunately, it could be that NATO’s biggest battles and fights are still in the future and we have to be very much prepared for that. Because if those battles come to us and we are not prepared that will be the biggest mistake that we can ever have. Thank you so much.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Luminița-Teodora Odobescu
Secretary General, dear friends, we are celebrating today the most successful political-military alliance in the world. NATO has stood the test of time and demonstrated strategic vision, determination, resilience and capacity to adapt. NATO became stronger both in size and influence. The Open Door policy is the most successful instrument of our Alliance. For Romania, joining NATO represented the fulfilment of an historical aspiration and a security imperative. The Alliance is now an essential pillar of our foreign policy and security policy. Over the years, Romania has benefited from the security umbrella provided by the Alliance. In turn, we have demonstrated commitment and determination as a responsible and active Ally, a true security provider contributing to the collective security efforts. The brutal war of aggression waged by Russia on our neighbour Ukraine has changed our security environment for many years to come. We need to do our utmost to support Ukraine until the final victory. Together we are stronger. Together we are better. Together, we build our future. [speaks in Romanian]

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, Juraj Blanár
Mr Secretary General, dear friends, dear colleagues, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. 20 years ago, on the 29th of March 2004, Slovakia became a member of the strongest and most successful, successful Alliance ever. With no exaggeration, this was one of the most important and crucial decisions in our modern Slovak history. Under the current challenging security situation, marred by ongoing war in our neighbouring Ukraine and presented threat of terrorism, this decision has proven to be fundamental for the security of our citizens. I wish to thank all Allies that have contributed to our collective defence and security. Not only history, but every day makes it clear that peace is not for granted. It is the soldiers who are ready to stand in harm’s way and willing to sacrifice even their lives to protect us. So let us not forget the women and men in uniform who have lost their lives in our missions and operations, including the Slovak ones. Ladies and gentleman, as a responsible and trustworthy Ally, Slovakia will remain faithful to our shared values and commitments and obligations stemming from our membership. Thank you very much.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon
Secretary General, ladies and gentleman, dear friends. 75 years, it is a remarkable achievement. It speaks for itself. 75 years of this Alliance based on our shared values. It is an Alliance of values and as an Alliance of values we continue and will continue to support Ukraine, because people of Ukraine deserves to live in peace and stability, as we deserve, and they deserve to choose for their own security arrangements, and we’ll advocate for their course also in the Security Council of United Nations, where Slovenia currently serves as a non-permanent member. Last year, or last week, excuse me, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of our membership in NATO in Slovenia. Together with our membership in European Union, it gave us stability and it gave us the opportunity to promote stability and security in our direct neighbourhood of the Western Balkans. It ensured us an additional platform to promote human rights, especially women’s rights. And it also gave us an opportunity to improve excellence of Slovenian armed forces and with that, we became an integral transatlantic link, part of this link. So Slovenia reconfirms today our commitment to this Alliance of ours that prevent conflicts and promotes peace, thank you.

NATO Spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah
I now invite the ministers of foreign affairs of Albania and Croatia to step forward and to each deliver a shorter dress on their 15th NATO accession anniversary. J’invite à présent les ministres des Affaires étrangères de l’Albanie et de la Croatie à s’avancer pour prononcer tour à tour une brève allocution sur le 15e anniversaire de l’adhésion de leur pays à l’OTAN. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Igli Hasani
Secretary General, Allies. Today we celebrate two milestones that stand as testaments to the enduring power of unity and shared values. First, we mark the 75th anniversary of the Alliance. Born from the ashes of the Second World War, NATO arose as a beacon of peace and stability, a shield for the allies’ collective security. It started with 12 nations and Albania, unfortunately, was behind a double Iron Curtain. It was the North Korea of Europe. And for three quarters of a century you were the example on how to stand firm to deter aggression, to uphold the values we cherished, freedom, democracy, international law and human dignity. And you preserved the lives of people in my neighbourhood, the lives of people from both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo that were facing ethnic cleansing. Secondly, we celebrate the 15 years that my country joined this historic Alliance. This pivotal moment fulfilled the core strategic objective for our nation. While we continue our pursuit for the EU integration, Albania remains dedicated contributor to NATO. Our troops stand shoulder to shoulder with Allies in missions around the globe, a testament to our steadfast commitment. The world we face today’s constantly evolving strategic competition, armed aggression, new threats, cyber and disinformation campaigns. All these demand adaptation. We are heartened by NATO’s growing focus on these areas, ensuring its continued relevance in safeguarding our shared future. As a small nation, we deeply understand the power of unity, a strong NATO, a strong Euro Atlantic bond is essential for future peace and security of generations to come. Let us all recommit to NATO’s unwavering spirit and ensure its continued strength in the face of evolving threats together. With strength and unity, we face the future with more confidence, and I thank you.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Croatia, Gordan Grlić Radman
Secretary General, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends. As NATO celebrate 75 years of its existence, Croatia marks the 15th anniversary of her membership in the Alliance. That means that Croatia is adolescent among 32 members, but very strong and very brave one. We are ready to contribute to any NATO mission as we did in Afghanistan, in another 11 missions of United Nations. Croatia unfortunately did not have the privilege of 75 years of peace. From 1991 to 1995, we had to fight for and defend our freedom and democracy. Facing a much stronger aggressor, at the time, we prevailed against all odds. After our victory and risen from the ashes, we transformed to modern contributor to the security and stability of the European continent, firmly embedded in our transatlantic community. Croatia’s own experience and expertise contributes today to NATO’s deterrence and defence and our determination to invest in our own security, with technologically advanced defence solution is steadfast. Croatia is Danubian and Central European as well as Adriatic and a Mediterranean country. Strategically located at the crossroads of these European regions, we remain dedicated to remain reliable and strong pillar of NATO’s south eastern flank. Long live NATO. Thank you.

NATO Spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah
I now invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium to step forward and to deliver a short address. The Minister and the Secretary General will subsequently cut the NATO 75th anniversary celebration cake offered by Belgium. J’invite à présent la ministre des affaires étrangères de la Belgique à s’avancer pour prononcer une brève allocution. La ministre et le secrétaire général vont ensuite découper le gâteau offert par la Belgique à l’occasion du 75e anniversaire de l’OTAN. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Hadja Lahbib
Je vois que vous commencez à vous soulager, à sourire. Oui, je suis la dernière et je vais être très court parce qu’on a un bon gâteau qui nous attend. Dear Secretary General, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends. It’s my duty as founding member to remember as a part of our common history 75 years ago indeed, right before the signing ceremony, Paul-Henri Spaak, at the time a Belgian President –Prime Minister said, « personne ne peut contester le droit de rassembler et d’organiser dans un coin du monde toutes les forces de ceux qui, ayant définitivement renoncé à toute idée de guerre agressive, ne vont pas se trouver un jour sans défense devant une attaque qui pourrait être dirigée contre eux ». 75 years later, his words still resonate. From 12 founding members, we have grown to 32 Allies making this defence Alliance stronger and safer than ever before. We are an alliance forged through shared values of democracy, liberty, and the rule of law. Together, we work to prevent conflict and preserve peace for 1 billion people. NATO guarantees our security and prosperity and allow us to live our lives in freedom. The strength of NATO is that despite our differences, we have always been able to unite around our core task to defend each other and keep people safe. 75 years after this creation, these situations in our neighbourhoods reminds us every day that the world needs NATO more than ever, our Alliance remains highly relevant and attractive to many because it takes its founding principles of unity and solidarity very seriously. And there is not the slightest doubt that it will continue to live up to the challenge of protecting its 1 billion citizens and every inch of Allied territory. As we look ahead to the next 75 years and beyond, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to NATO’s mission ensuring a future of peace, security and prosperity for generations to come. It is with pride that Belgium takes part in this formidable project. It is with gratitude and respect towards our Allies and the organisation that we celebrate this anniversary which marks 75 years of peace, security and prosperity for Allied nations. So to quote Antony Blinken yesterday, as long as we are together, we are protected and I will quote another famous star: “Let’s stick together”. Thank you. I don’t know if you can play let’s stick together. No? I should ask it before. And now I will ask to the Secretary General to join me because I think that it’s the cutting time for –to eat the cake.

NATO Spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah
This concludes the ceremony. La cérémonie est maintenant terminée. 

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Secretary General welcomes Ukraine’s Foreign Minister to NATO

Source: NATO

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Ukrainian Minister Dmytro Kuleba to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (4 April 2024) for the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of foreign ministers.

Ministers will discuss further strengthening support to Ukraine including creating “a more robust and predictable framework,” for NATO support to Ukraine said Mr Stoltenberg. He noted that the Alliance is “looking into even stronger ways of organising the support and also discussing a long term financial pledge,” from NATO Allies.

Recognising the courage, determination, and bravery of the Ukrainian people, the Secretary General said “this matters for Ukraine, but it matters also for the whole of NATO, for our security. So what you do is important for all of us.”

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NATO marks 75th anniversary as foreign ministers meet in Brussels

Source: NATO

Foreign Ministers gathered at NATO Headquarters on Thursday (4 April 2024) to mark 75 years since the signing of the Alliance’s founding document, the North Atlantic Treaty. Since 1949, the Alliance has ensured peace, democracy and prosperity for its members, now counting 32 Allies and one billion people on both sides of the Atlantic. This year’s NATO Day comes just weeks after Sweden joined as the thirty-second member of the Alliance.

In a speech marking the anniversary, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed that “NATO is bigger, stronger, and more united than ever”. He welcomed that the founding treaty, normally kept in Washington, D.C., was on display at NATO Headquarters for the first time, saying: “never has a single document with so few words meant so much to so many people. So much security, so much prosperity, and so much peace. All because of its solemn promise: that we stand together, and protect one another, as we have for 75 years.”

Monuments throughout the Brussels are marking NATO’s anniversary. In Parc du Cinquantenaire, the NATO flag is flying under the Memorial Arch, and buildings in the city are illuminated in NATO blue, including the City Hall of Brussels and the Egmont Palace. The iconic Manneken Pis statue, one of the best-known symbols of Brussels, is wearing a special NATO Day costume to join the festivities.

Other Allies are also marking the anniversary with events including public discussions, musical performances and the illumination of buildings in NATO blue.

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Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Foreign Ministers’ Session

Source: NATO

(As delivered)

Welcome once again. Good morning and welcome to this meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine has entered its third year. And as Ukraine continues to fight for its freedom, Allies continue to support Ukraine. The situation on the battlefield is difficult. This is an argument for stepping up our support not scaling down.

Today we will address Ukraine’s urgent practical and political needs, including how to strengthen NATO’s support for Ukraine. At Vilnius we agreed the package of measures to bring Ukraine closer to NATO. And as we prepare for our Washington Summit, we’re working together to cement Ukraine’s path towards NATO membership.
This matters for Ukraine’s security and for our security.

So we look forward to hearing from you today, Mr. Kuleba. Welcome Dmytro, it’s good to have you here. Thank you then to the members of the media for joining us at the top of the meeting, and the meeting will continue in just a moment. Thank you so much.