Category: NATO

Source: NATO

Thank you so much Minister Konaković, dear Elmedin,
Thank you so much for your warm welcome.

It is good to be back in Sarajevo. You mentioned that our Secretary General visited just a few months back. But the Council visited Sarajevo in 2010. So this is a visit long overdue.

Also, I’m very happy to be here with the North Atlantic Council. 31 allies and Sweden soon to become the 32nd member of the most successful Alliance in human history.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a long-standing and close NATO partner.

Today we discussed the security situation in your country and its implications for stability in the broader region.

Because what happens in Bosnia and Herzegovina matters for the security in the Western Balkans.

And what happens in the Western Balkans matters for all of us in Europe,

NATO strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Secessionist policies and divisive rhetoric undermine stability and hamper reforms and the well-being of your people.
All political leaders must work together, to preserve unity and safeguard national institutions. 

So Minister Konaković, I welcome your strong commitment to reform and to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic path.

NATO has been committed to your country for many years.

Supporting your reform efforts, including through our Defense Capacity Building package.

To help strengthen your capabilities in areas like crisis management, cyber defence and countering terrorism.

These reforms make Bosnia and Herzegovina more resilient and more secure.
And offer a brighter future for all your citizens, as you continue, as we strongly support the continuation of your Euro-Atlantic path.

We appreciate the contribution of your country to our common security. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not only receiving support, it is also giving back.
You have been in Afghanistan as the Minister mentioned. We are very happy to see that you are taking part in the effort of NATO to go to the next level of our preparations.

I’m very happy and proud to see that an infantry brigade has been certified as a top level standards. This is a two-way street for strengthening security in the region and in the whole of Europe.

So we stand ready to continue to dynamize our political dialogue and strengthen our practical cooperation.

And NATO’s Headquarters here in Sarajevo will continue to coordinate our support to the European Union-led Operation Althea, under the Berlin plus arrangements.

So thank you again for hosting us. This will be two days of very intense visits, understanding of your country’s needs.

And as somebody who has dedicated all my life, professional and political life, to bringing my home country of Romania into the Euro-Atlantic fold, I can say one thing, it’s your decision, how fast and where you want to go.
But there is absolutely no other truth that all our nations that join the Euro-Atlantic family, in the last 25 years since NATO and EU have enlarged, are better off, are more prosperous, are more secure, are more self-confident, and give to our citizens better lives. That’s a reality. And it’s up to you, and we hope to continue our partnership with your very important nation. All the way.

And also the Minister is a superstar in my home country of Romania. He played and he won the championship in my country. So anytime you come to my country Minister, you will have the best reception ever.

Source: NATO

(As delivered)

Source: NATO

It is important for me to tell you that what you produce here, what you do here every day, is making NATO stronger and all of us safer and more secure. 

That has always been the case, but it’s even more so now with a full-fledged war going on in Europe, a war of aggression launched by President Putin and Russia.
And where weapons produced by Lockheed Martin, by you, has made a huge difference on the battlefield.

I just saw how Javelins are produced. And that was important for me.
But it is important that you fully realise how important those missiles were, especially at the beginning of the war, because when the invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022. Most experts feared and believed that Russia would take control over Kyiv the capital of Ukraine and the rest of Ukraine within days or weeks. That didn’t happen.

The Ukrainians were able to push back the Russian invaders, not least because they had the Javelins and they played a critical role in those opening weeks of the war.

Weapons, HIMARS, interceptors, Javelins and other weapons systems produced by you here and also at other sites in the Lockheed Martin company, continues to make a huge difference.
And maybe you sometimes believe it is far from here, Pike County to the forests in Ukraine.  But it’s a very close link, what you do here makes a difference there every day. 
So I’m here to thank you for that and to express the gratitude on behalf of NATO, on behalf of all Allies, and also the brave men and women in uniform in Ukraine.

The name “Lockheed Martin” is synonymous with innovation and technical brilliance.

For decades, you have helped American and NATO forces maintain their technological edge.
Vital for our freedom and our security.

So I come here with a simple message.
On behalf of the one billion people across NATO Allied countries in Europe and North America. Thank you for everything you do.

Will live in dangerous times.
China is the most serious long-term challenge.
It is modernising its military without limits.
Trading unfairly.
Bullying its neighbours – not least Taiwan.
And seeking to dominate the South China Sea.

But China is not the only challenge.
Russia is the most immediate one.

It has invaded Ukraine, a free, sovereign nation.
Causing immense death and destruction.

We need to remain decisive and strong in our support to Ukraine as it defends itself and our values.

The Ukrainian people want the same as you.
To care for their families.
Earn a decent living.
And to live their lives in peace and freedom.

So when Russian tanks rolled over the border, the people who came did what you would have done.
They fought back.
With courage and determination.
And with your weapons.

Not least with the Javelin anti-tank missiles made right here in Pike County.
From your hands to theirs.

The United States leads the way in supporting Ukraine.
But the United States is far from alone.
Combined, European Allies and Canada actually provide more in terms of military, financial and humanitarian aid than the U.S.
And measured as a share of GDP, most Allies provide more than the United States.

Over many years, the United States has criticised NATO Allies for not spending enough on defence.
And rightly so.
And I commend U.S. leadership on this important issue.
But things have changed.

All Allies have increased defence spending.
Adding an additional 450 billion US dollars.
NATO Allies have committed to spending at least 2% of their GDP on defence.
And many are already exceeding that target.

With more money for defence, we are boosting our defence industry.
NATO creates a vast market for defence production and sales.
Over the last two years alone, NATO Allies have agreed to buy 120 billion dollars’ worth of weapons from U.S. defence industry.
And that also includes also from you.
Including thousands of missiles to the U.K, Finland and Lithuania,
Hundreds of tanks to Poland and Romania,
And hundreds of F-35 aircraft across many Allied nations.

So from Arizona to Virginia,
Florida to Washington State,
And right here in Alabama,
American jobs depend on American sales to defence markets across Europe and Canada.

What you produce keeps people safe.
And what Allies buy, helps keep American business strong.

NATO unites 31 nations from Europe and North America.
We stand together.
And we are committed to defending each other.
To standing up for our values and our democracy.
And keeping our economies resilient and strong.

So once again, it’s great to be in Alabama.
It’s great to be here in Pike County, in Troy, and to thank you for what you do because you make a difference and we are extremely grateful.

So thank you for having me here today.

Source: NATO

Speaking at the Lockheed Martin facility in Troy, Alabama on Wednesday (31 January 2024), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasised NATO’s crucial role in creating a vast market for defence sales and production. He noted that “over the last two years alone, NATO Allies have agreed to buy 120 billion dollars’ worth of weapons from U.S. defence companies”. Mr Stoltenberg underlined that the Ukrainian people are defending their country with courage and determination, but crucially also with weapons and ammunition provided by NATO Allies – “not least with the Javelin anti-tank missiles made right here in Pike County”.

Source: NATO

Thank you Dr. Roberts,
dear Kevin,
Good morning all.
It is great to be back in Washington.
And a pleasure to speak at the Heritage Foundation.

You seek to advance the interests of American citizens.
And stand up for ideas that strengthen America,
and the fundamental values that underpin this great democratic nation.
Freedom, opportunity and prosperity.

Today, these values are under attack by malign foreign actors seeking to undermine them.
They are threatening our free world.
They are openly contesting American power.
And not just America.

They are trying to trample over the global rules that keep us all safe.
These are dangerous times.

China is modernising its military and developing new weapons,
without any transparency or any limitation.
It is trading unfairly.
Buying up critical infrastructure.
Bullying its neighbours – not least Taiwan.
And seeking to dominate the South China Sea.

While China is the most serious long-term challenge,
Russia is the most immediate one.
Putin has brought war back to Europe, on a scale not seen since the Second World War.
And is developing new strategic weapons to threaten the United States and its Allies.

His war is not just about controlling Ukraine.
It is about re-establishing Russia’s sphere of influence.
And shaping alternative world order.

Where U.S. power is diminished.
NATO is divided. 
And smaller democracies are forced to kneel. 

Other authoritarian regimes in Iran and North Korea are also expanding their aggressive behaviour.
Tehran is backing terrorists and militias that are attacking ships in the Red Sea.
And American military bases in the Middle East.
Just this week we saw the tragic consequences of the attack in Jordan.

Pyongyang continues to test missiles that could reach South Korea and Japan.
As well as the United States.

China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly aligned.
Together, they subvert sanctions and pressure.
Weaken the US dollar-based international financial system. 
Fuel Russian war in Europe.
And exploit challenges to our societies,
such as terrorism, disruptive technologies, or migration. 

In these dangerous times, we must stand strong against any regime that seeks to undermine us.

To do so, we must do three things.

First, we must ensure robust deterrence.
Not to start wars.
But to prevent them.
And preserve peace.

Any sign of wavering or weakness on our part will invite challenges from those who wish us harm.

That is why NATO has implemented the most robust collective defence since the Cold War.
We have more forces at higher readiness.
And more capabilities to protect our people,
and our territory.

We need to remain decisive and strong in our support to Ukraine.
Make no mistake: that is where we are being tested right now.

Ukraine must prevail.
And it can.
But it needs our continued help.

And let me recognise the leading role of the United States in supporting Ukraine.
Not least in providing essential military aid.

At the same time, we should acknowledge that European Allies and Canada also provide significant support to Ukraine, what they support, what they provide, in terms of military, financial, and humanitarian aid actually exceeds what the U.S. is providing.

Since the outbreak of the war, the United States has provided around 75 billion U.S. dollars.
Other Allies and partners have provided over 100 billion dollars.
And measured as share of GDP,
most Allies provide more than the United States.
In addition, Europe Allies host six million Ukrainian refugees.
European Allies were the first to provide tanks and long-range missiles to Ukraine.
The first to provide fighter aircraft.
And the first to train thousands of Ukrainian soldiers.

Supporting Ukraine is not charity.
It is an investment in our own security.

The United States has spent a small fraction of its annual military budget to aid Ukraine.
With that, Ukraine has managed to destroy a substantial part of Russia’s combat capacity.

And again, supporting Ukraine is in America’s own interest. 
If we cannot stop Russia’s cycle of aggression in Europe, others will learn the lesson that using force against America’s interests works.
The price for our security will go up.
China is watching closely.
And supporting Putin.
Let’s remember, China and Russia are partners.
Putin and Xi have signed an agreement of ‘limitless partnership’.

Beijing has failed to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It continues to spread Russian lies,
and to prop up the Russian economy.

It is Ukraine today.
Taiwan could be tomorrow.

This brings me to my second point. 
We must organise ourselves for enduring competition with China.

The U.S. has been doing this for some time.
You shifted your policy on China in 2017, under President Trump.
And since then, NATO has gone a long way in helping European Allies fully appreciate the challenges posed by China.
And respond to it.

It is clear that we must eliminate harmful dependencies on critical Chinese raw materials and products.
Europe made the mistake to rely on Russian oil and gas.
We cannot repeat that same mistake with China.
Dependencies make us vulnerable.

That is why we need to protect our critical infrastructure, strategic materials and supply chains.
We must not lose control of our ports, railways, and telecommunications – like 5G.
And we must not export technology that can be used against us.

Managing the China challenge is not something the U.S. can do alone.

And you don’t have to.

Through NATO, the U.S. has the support of 31 Allies and a vast network of partners.
Especially in the Indo-Pacific.

NATO is working more closely than ever with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
We are making our forces more interoperable.
So they can work seamlessly together.
And we cooperate on issues of shared interest.
Including China.

Together, we are much stronger.

Now to my third and final point.
We must invest in our defence.
NATO will remain central to this effort.

Over many years, the United States has criticised NATO Allies for not spending enough on defence.
Rightly so.
And I commend the U.S. leadership on this important issue.
But things have changed.

All Allies have increased defence investments.
Adding an additional 450 billion dollars.
NATO Allies have committed to spending at least 2% of their GDP on defence.
And many are exceeding that target already.
For example, this year Poland will spend more than 4%.
No other Ally spends more.

With more money, we are boosting our defence industry.

NATO creates a market for defence sales.

Over the last two years, NATO Allies have agreed to purchase 120 billion dollars’ worth of weapons from U.S. defence companies.   
Including thousands of missiles to the U.K, Finland and Lithuania,
Hundreds of Abrams tanks to Poland and Romania,
And hundreds of F-35 aircraft across many European Allied nations – a total of 600 by 2030.
From Arizona to Virginia, Florida to Washington state,
American jobs depend on American sales to defence markets in Europe and Canada.

What you produce keeps people safe.
What Allies buy keeps American businesses strong.
So NATO is a good deal for the United States.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Heritage Foundation stands for the power of ideas that keep America strong.
NATO is an incredibly powerful idea.
That advances U.S. interests.
And multiplies America’s power.

The U.S. alone represents a quarter of the world economy.
But together, with NATO Allies,
we represent half of the world’s economic might.
And half of the world’s military might.

Together, we have world-class militaries,
vast intelligence networks,
more defence spending,
and unique diplomatic leverage.

More than an idea, NATO is a strong Alliance.
Getting stronger, and bigger.
With new Allies – Finland, and soon Sweden.
And more partnerships around the world.

Through NATO, the U.S. has more friends and allies than any other power.
China and Russia has nothing like NATO.
It is why they always try to undermine our unity.

In times of growing competition and rivalry.
NATO makes the U.S. stronger.
And all of us safer.

This year, we will celebrate NATO’s 75th anniversary.
With a Summit here in Washington in July.
It will be an opportunity to send a powerful message of unity and resolve in this challenging century.

Thank you so much.

Source: NATO

On Wednesday (31 January 2024), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delivered a speech at the Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C. He emphasised that in a world with rising security threats, NATO Allies must ensure robust deterrence, prepare for enduring competition with China, and invest more in defence.

Source: NATO

Source: NATO

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, and other members of Congressional leadership in Washington D.C. on Tuesday (30 January 2024).

Source: NATO

From 5 to 8 December 2023, Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak, Director General of the NATO International Military Staff (DGIMS), participated in Allied Command Transformation’s Allied Warfare Development Conference, hosted and led by General Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) in Virginia, United States. This annual conference of Flag and General Officers, as well as Senior Civilian decision makers from NATO Nations, is designed to foster interaction and collaboration with NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and other senior NATO leaders involved with warfare development.

Source: NATO

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (14 December 2023). Mr Stoltenberg praised Slovakia’s commitment to the Alliance, including hosting a multinational NATO battlegroup, deploying forces to Latvia, and planning to invest 2% of GDP in defence this year. They also discussed continued support to Ukraine and further bolstering the Alliance’s deterrence and defence.