Category: NATO

Source: NATO

So Minister Kuleba, dear Dmytro,
Welcome back to NATO.
It’s always a pleasure to welcome you, to see you here.

And let me start by once again recognising the courage, the determination, the bravery of the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and you personally in standing up against Russian brutal aggression against Ukraine.

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.

And therefore, I stated many, many times that support to Ukraine is not charity.
Support to Ukraine is an investment in our own security.
Today, we will have a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.
I look forward to discussing with you how we can further strengthen our cooperation, but also how we can move you towards membership in NATO.
Allies have made clear that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance.
And we need to ensure that is something we are following up.

We’ll also discuss, as we also did at the Foreign Ministerial meeting yesterday, how we can step up and sustain our support for Ukraine.
Because it also matters for our own security.
And we are discussing how we can create a more robust and predictable framework, institutionalised framework for NATO support to Ukraine.
99% of the military support to Ukraine is coming from NATO Allies.
But we need to ensure that this is predictable.
It’s fair burden sharing.
And that it’s going to last. And therefore, we are looking into even stronger ways of organising the support.
And also to discussing a long term financial pledge, commitment from NATO Allies.

We of course welcome voluntary contributions.
But in the long run, we need to be less dependent on voluntary contributions short term and more dependent on strong NATO commitments.
These and many other issues we will discuss.
Once again, it’s great to see you here and welcome to NATO.

Source: NATO

Mr Secretary General, 
Your Excellencies, 
Admirals, Generals, 
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Happy anniversary.
On this day, 75 years ago, NATO Allies signed a treaty to create a band of brothers and sisters.

Starting with 12, we have now grown into an Alliance of 32 Armed Forces. 

Each word of the Washington Treaty lying here before you, is a sacred pledge that Allied Armed Forces fight to uphold. 

Together, we are protecting much more than physical safety.  

We are collectively defending freedom and democracy.

The choice to put your life in the service of freedom comes from a deep-rooted desire to be part of something bigger.

To be there for others.

To fight for the “we” in a world of “me”.

When civilians seek shelter, military personnel step up.

We are the shield for the innocent.

We are what stands between freedom and oppression.

That task, that life goal, is something that all men and women in uniform share with each other.

It forms an invisible bond that transcends wars and generations.

It is a bond you can feel.

Because you know what it means to serve.

Prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.

That bond, that boundless trust, is something all Allied Armed Forces share.

We feel the security of comradeship.

The security of friendship. 

Across Europe and North America, 3.5 million men and women in uniform are upholding a shield against aggression.

We deter and defend against any adversary, at any time, in any place. 

In a world where authoritarian regimes are desperately trying to portray an image of strength… and brutal tyranny strives to take away the sovereign rights of peoples and nations…

… we need that shield more than ever. 

We need to show the world that democracy is worth fighting for. 

It is not a perfect system. 

Nor is it self-sustainable. Even in countries where it has existed for centuries. 

But it is worth risking our lives for. 

Because without choice, without freedom, without the rule of law: what is there? 

How can we ever build a safe and prosperous world for our children?

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Keeping 1 billion people safe is a herculean task. 

It is the combination of our political and military power that enables us to do that.

And the fact that we are able to turn our 
diversity into a strength. 

Every day at this NATO Headquarters in Brussels, people come together on the political and the military level to find consensus on thousands of pieces of policy. 

Every day, Allied Armed Forces work side by side in NATO missions and operations. 

Every day, 32 nations choose the “we” over the “me”. 

NATO is – at its core – a defensive Alliance. 

We are the most successful Alliance in history, not because of any aggressive display of military strength, or territory we have brutally conquered… 

We are the most successful Alliance in history because of the peace we have brought… the countries we have united… and the conflicts we have prevented from spiralling out of control. 

Today, we celebrate our band of 32 brothers and sisters. 

Allies, separated by oceans but united in our determination.

Together, we are stronger.

Together, we are more.

Together, we are NATO.
 

Source: NATO

Ministers, 
Excellencies, 
Dear Friends.

Today we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the strongest, most enduring and most successful Alliance in history.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
NATO.
Congratulations!
 
In the years following the Second World War, 
the fear of yet another devastating war was real.
  
So on this day in 1949, the Foreign Ministers of twelve countries from Europe and North America, 
came together to sign the Washington Treaty.
To create our Alliance.
It kept our people safe through the long years of the Cold War.
From the Berlin Airlift and the Cuban Missile Crisis to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
  
In 1979, I served in the Norwegian army.
If there was a war, we would be on the front line.
But I was not afraid.
Because I knew we were not alone.
We had the might of the NATO Alliance behind us.
 
When the Cold War ended, 
NATO helped to bring two brutal ethnic conflicts in the Balkans to a close.

In 2001, after 9/11 attacks, for the first time, we invoked Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, 
which states that an attack on one Ally is an attack on all.
NATO has been on the front line in the fight against terrorism ever since.

2014 and Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea was another turning point.
Since then, we have undertaken the biggest reinforcement of our collective defence in generations.
Today, NATO is bigger, stronger and more united than ever.
 
***
 
In the beginning, we had 12 members.
Today we are 32. 
So we must be doing something right!
 
We have helped to spread peace, democracy and prosperity throughout Europe.
And today, we also celebrate important anniversaries for many of our members.
 
***

Two World Wars, the Cold War and every challenge we have faced since then,
have taught us that we need each other.
 
Europe needs America for its security.
Fair burden sharing is essential.
And Europe is investing more.
Much more.
This year, the majority of NATO Allies will invest at least 2% of their GDP in defence. 
At the same time, North America also needs Europe.
European Allies provide world-class militaries, vast intelligence networks and unique diplomatic leverage.
Multiplying America’s might.
Through NATO, the United States has more friends and more Allies than any other major power.

I do not believe in America alone.
Just as I don’t believe in Europe alone.
I believe in America and Europe together.
In NATO.
Because, we are stronger and safer together.

***

This morning, Admiral Bauer and I laid the wreath at memorial stone here at the NATO Headquarters.
To pay our respects to all those in uniform who have served under the NATO flag.
And remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
We honour them.
And their lasting contribution to peace and freedom for us all.

*** 
Dear friends,
As we mark the 75th anniversary, 
we have the great privilege of having our founding treaty with us. 
For the very first time at the NATO Headquarters.
It’s just in front of me.
You can watch it afterwards.
 
That’s the Washington Treaty, the original and I like the Washington Treaty.
Not least because it is very short,
Just 14 paragraphs over a few pages. 

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.
 
Thank you and happy anniversary! 
Thank you.

Source: NATO

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (3 April 2024), at the start of a two-day meeting of Foreign Ministers. The Secretary General thanked Mr Blinken for his leadership and the United States’ commitment to NATO, as well as the US’ vital support to Ukraine. Mr Stoltenberg noted that ministers will address several issues, including the importance of working with Indo-Pacific partners; defence spending; and preparations for the Washington Summit in July.

Source: NATO

Good afternoon.

We have just concluded a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers –
The first ever with Sweden as a full member of the Alliance.

Together, we addressed preparations for the Washington Summit in July.
Starting with Ukraine.
This is a critical moment.

The people of Ukraine continue to defend their country with skill and bravery.
The Ukrainians have shown – time and time again – that they are capable.

Ukraine has recaptured half of the territory that Russia initially seized.
In the Black Sea, Ukraine has pushed back the Russian fleet, enabling the continued export of grain to world markets.

The Ukrainians are not running out of courage, they are running out of ammunition.
We need to step up now to ensure our support is built to last.

So in our meeting today, we discussed how to put our support on a firmer and more enduring basis for the future. 

All Allies agree on the need to support Ukraine in this critical moment.
There is a unity of purpose.

Today Allies have agreed to move forward with planning for a greater NATO role in coordinating security assistance and training.

The details will take shape in the weeks to come.
But make no mistake.
Ukraine can rely on NATO support now, and for a long haul.

Tomorrow we will meet with Minister Kuleba in the NATO-Ukraine Council.
Together we will discuss Ukraine’s current and longer-term needs. 

Today, Ministers also addressed security challenges in our Southern neigbourhood.
Including the enduring threat of terrorism.

Last October, I appointed an independent Group of Experts to review NATO’s approach to our Southern neighbours.
Ministers have discussed the Group’s findings. And Heads of State and Government will consider concrete proposals at the Summit in Washington.

Tomorrow I will chair a meeting of Foreign Ministers with our Indo-Pacific partners Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, together with the European Union.

We will discuss how to enhance our practical cooperation, as well as the global implications of the war against Ukraine.

Russia is receiving support for its war of aggression from China, North Korea and Iran.

As authoritarian powers increasingly align, it is important that like-minded nations around the world stand together.
To defend a global order ruled by law, not by force.

Tomorrow marks NATO’s 75th anniversary.
As we face a more dangerous world, the bond between Europe and North America has never been more important.

As we prepare for an historic Summit in Washington,
NATO will continue to support Ukraine.
We will continue to strengthen our Alliance. And we will continue to work with our partners across the globe for peace and security.

With that, I am ready to take your questions.

Source: NATO

Secretary Blinken, dear Tony. 

welcome back to NATO. It’s always great to see you here. And thank you for leadership. Thank you for your strong commitment to our Alliance. 

Today, we have already started our Foreign Ministers meeting. And we have addressed how to strengthen our support to Ukraine, to create an even more robust framework for our support. 

And I thank you for your strong commitment, your personal commitment, commitment of President Biden, to ensure that the United States continues to be a lead nation in supporting Ukraine.

Then, burden sharing is always top on our agenda. When NATO made the pledge to invest the 2% of GDP on defence, back in 2014, only three Allies met that target. Today, two thirds of NATO Allies are spending 2% of GDP on defence, that is significant progress. But of course, we want more Allies, we want all Allies to be at 2%, and 2% is minimum. 

So this is a message that I and we all convey very strongly as we prepare for the upcoming Washington Summit.

Then tomorrow, we will also meet with our Asia Pacific partners. And I think the war in Ukraine demonstrates how intertwined the security of Europe is with the security of Asia and the Pacific. North Korea, China, Iran are supporting Russia’s war aggression in different ways. So this demonstrates that security is not regional, security is truly global. And therefore, it is important to work together with our Asia Pacific partners. 

And again, thank you for the strong US leadership on this issue.

Then lastly, tomorrow, we will celebrate NATO’s 75th anniversary. We will actually meet to tonight at the Truman Hall. But also then tomorrow, we will mark it here at the NATO headquarters. And, then we will also mark the 75th anniversary at the NATO Summit in Washington in July. 

Thank you for hosting the summit. And it will be a great summit to celebrate the Alliance, but also to ensure that we continue to adapt and to ensure that NATO continues to be the most successful Alliance in history. So, Tony, welcome, it is always great to have you here.

Source: NATO

Foreign Ministers met in Brussels on Wednesday (3 April 2024) for the first of two days of meetings to mark NATO’s 75th anniversary and prepare for the Washington Summit in July. This was also the first meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers with Sweden participating as a full member.

Source: NATO

Do you want to dine like a Dutch Queen, imbibe like an Icelandic President, or graze like General Dwight D. Eisenhower? To discover the Alliance’s top culinary secrets, dive deeper into the history of ‘The Best of Taste’: NATO’s first cookbook, which was published in 1957. A gem of culinary diplomacy during the Cold War, it offers a glimpse into the national cuisines of NATO members at the time, highlighting the diverse flavours of the transatlantic Alliance.

Source: NATO

(As delivered)

Source: NATO

Foreign Ministers are gathering at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday (3 April 2024) for a two-day meeting to mark NATO’s 75th anniversary and to prepare for the upcoming Washington Summit in July.