Category: North Atlantic Treaty Organization

On the anniversary of the foundation of the Alliance, the Secretary General said that “as the world grows more dangerous,” the need for NATO has never been greater: “And we are united in our commitment to each other in this Alliance.” 
 
On Thursday, Mr Rutte commended “the biggest increase in defence spending on the European side of NATO since the end of the Cold War.” He welcomed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to his first ministerial, thanking him for his tireless diplomacy and support for NATO. The North Atlantic Council then met for a working lunch, focused on defence investment and preparations for the Summit in The Hague. 
 
This was followed by a meeting with partners from the Indo-Pacific; Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand. “The security of the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic is more connected than ever before. The war in Ukraine is but one example of this as China, North Korea, and Iran continue to support Russia’s war machine,” said Mr Rutte. “This poses risks to us all.”

On Thursday evening, ministers met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, in the NATO-Ukraine Council format, where they were also joined by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. “We have to make sure that whenever a ceasefire or a peace deal is reached, that it is enduring, that it is lasting,” Secretary General Rutte said. He reaffirmed NATO’s support for Ukraine, and welcomed that Allies have pledged more than 20 billion euros in military assistance in the first quarter of 2025. 
 
The ministerial concluded on Friday morning with a meeting of the North Atlantic Council with the High Representative Kallas where they discussed NATO-EU cooperation, building defence industrial capacity, the situation in the Western Balkans, and support for Ukraine.

The Secretary General concluded his press conference on Friday by underlining that NATO remains the cornerstone of transatlantic security and global stability: “Through the years, working together, Allies have delivered security through strength. From all I heard during the last two days, we are well on track to continue delivering well into the future.”

Ms Shekerinska stressed that securing lasting peace for Ukraine is essential for European security and for global stability. She called for strengthened support for Ukraine, now and for the long haul, noting that for peace to be lasting, Ukraine must remain strong.

The Deputy Secretary General welcomed recent announcements by NATO Allies of further aid to Ukraine, including air defence, armoured vehicles, drones, and munitions. NATO is also helping to strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces for the long-term, including through financial support, NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), and the new NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre in Poland.

Ms Shekerinska commended NATO-EU cooperation, both in Brussels and on the ground, where NSATU works closely with the EU’s Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine (EUMAM) to streamline international support for Ukraine. She welcomed the EU’s recent initiatives on defence and noted that NATO-EU discussions would continue with High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas, at the upcoming meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers.

On Tuesday, 8 April, the Secretary General will meet the Minister of Defence, Mr Gen Nakatani. He will also visit the Yokosuka Naval Base and the Mitsubishi Electric Kamakura Works.

On Wednesday, 9 April, Mr Rutte will meet the Prime Minister, Mr Shigeru Ishiba, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr Yoji Muto, members of the Diet, and representatives of Japanese industry.

The Secretary General will also give a speech followed by a moderated conversation on the topic “NATO and Japan – Strong Partnerships in an Interconnected World”, at the Keio University, in Tokyo.
 

Media advisory

8 April, 12:20 (CEST) Remarks by the NATO Secretary General with the Minister of Defence of Japan

9 April, 11:50 (CEST) Joint press statements by the NATO Secretary General with the Prime Minister of Japan

Media coverage

• The remarks with the Minister of Defence and the press statements with the Prime Minister will be streamed live on the NATO website available on EBU News Exchange.
   
• Transcripts of the Secretary General’s remarks, as well as pictures, will be available on the NATO website. Video of all events will be available for free download from the  NATO Multimedia Portal after the event.

For more information:
Contact the NATO Press Office for general queries
Follow us on X: @NATO, @SecGenNATO and @NATOPress

Addressing media ahead of the meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted increased defence investment as a key agenda item and critical to the Alliance’s future success. “We will focus on strengthening our collective defence” he said, emphasising that “it is the foundation on which NATO was built, and it remains our number one priority.”

On the third anniversary of Russia’s brutal actions in Bucha and ahead of the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting on Thursday evening, Mr Rutte paid tribute to the victims and survivors. He commended Allied efforts to bring a just and lasting end to the war and underscored NATO’s enduring commitment to Ukraine with the announcement of more than 20 billion euros in security assistance – pledged by Allies – so far this year. 

The Secretary General also acknowledged that global threats are creating a more dangerous world. “In the face of these and other challenges, we must build a stronger, a fairer and more lethal NATO,” he affirmed, going on to praise NATO’s partners for making essential contributions to our shared security. Mr Rutte noted that NATO Ministers would meet with NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners on Thursday afternoon, with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas in the NATO-Ukraine Council Thursday evening, and in a dedicated session with the EU High Representative on Friday. 

The visit was attended by 121 participants, with 75 from “SC-146”, 36 from “NRCC-36”, and the remaining attendees from NDC staff. The program included a diverse and comprehensive schedule. The opening session featured a welcome address, keynote, and Q&A with Lt Gen Janusz Adamczak, Director General of the International Military Staff (IMS).

This was followed by a panel discussion on the theme “NATO’s Deterrence and Defence: Strategic Imperatives for the Alliance”, with contributions from Mr. Angus Lapsley (Assistant Secretary General, Defence Planning Policy), Major General Ulf Haeussler (Director, Operations and Planning Division, IMS), Mr. Thijs van der Plas (Dutch Permanent Representative to NATO), and Lieutenant General Jérôme Goisque (French Military Representative to NATO).

The group was briefed on NATO’s approach to defence and industry’s role in building capabilities from senior experts across the NATO structure. Further sessions also included “NATO Cooperation Security and Military Cooperation” and “NATO’s Assessment of the Terrorist Threat”.

This visit was a valuable opportunity for NDC participants to gain a deeper understanding of NATO’s strategic direction and key areas of defense and security cooperation.

Media representatives with an annual accreditation to NATO for 2025 do not need to request accreditation for this event.

All other media representatives wishing to cover the meeting should accredit via the NATO accreditation portal by 3 April 1300 CEST.

For more details please contact Kate.Vandy@fcdo.gov.uk and Jenny.Hayhurst@fcdo.gov.uk

There will be no media opportunity.

For more information:
Contact the NATO Press Office for general queries
Follow us on X: @NATO, @DepSecGenNATO and @NATOPress
 

Media advisory

10:00 (CET) Deputy Secretary General’s remarks followed by an exchange of views with parliamentarians.

Media coverage

The event will be streamed live on the Multimedia Centre portal of the European Parliament.

Transcripts of the Deputy Secretary General’s remarks, as well as photographs, will be available on the NATO website.

For more information:

For general queries: Contact the NATO Press Office

Follow us on X: @NATO, @DepSecGenNATO and @NATOPress

That same day, Switzerland and Ukraine also joined the STO S&T Enhanced Partnership. Australia and Japan were the first S&T Partner nations, in 2015 and 2020 respectively. 

Dr Bryan Wells, NATO Chief Scientist, said: “The NATO S&T Organization has always had a strong tradition of building close relations with NATO Partners. Bringing the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Ukraine together with Australia and Japan as S&T Enhanced Partners marks a step change in our engagement. I look forward to welcoming our new S&T Enhanced Partners to their first NATO S&T Board meeting in Brussels in early April.”