Category: North Atlantic Treaty Organization

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.

Source: NATO

(As delivered)

Good morning.

Foreign Ministers will meet today and tomorrow to mark NATO’s 75th anniversary, and to prepare for our Summit in Washington in July.

NATO was founded on a single, solemn promise: an attack on one Ally is an attack on all. 

From that foundation, we have built the most powerful and successful Alliance in history. 
And over the past 75 years, NATO’s Open Door has helped to spread democracy and prosperity across Europe.
As we celebrate NATO’s achievements, we do not rest upon them. 

Europe now faces war on a scale we thought was resigned to history. 

In recent days, the Kremlin has launched new major attacks, striking Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. 
And Russia continues to press along the frontlines.

So we must stand firm in our support to Ukraine. 
And I welcome that Allies continue to make major deliveries of weapons, ammunition, and equipment.

But Ukraine has urgent needs.  
Any delay in providing support has consequences on the battlefield as we speak.

So we need to shift the dynamics of our support.

We must ensure reliable and predictable security assistance to Ukraine for the long haul. 

So that we rely less on voluntary contributions and more on NATO commitments.

Less on short-term offers and more on multi-year pledges.

therefore Ministers will discuss how NATO could assume more responsibility for coordinating military equipment and training for Ukraine anchoring this within a robust NATO framework. 

We will also discuss a multi-year financial commitment to sustain our support.
This ministerial will set the stage for achieving consensus on these issues as we prepare for the Washington Summit.

NATO Allies provide 99 percent of all military support to Ukraine.

So doing more under NATO would make our efforts more efficient, and more effective.

Moscow needs to understand that they cannot achieve their goals on the battlefield and they cannot wait us out.

Tomorrow we will hold a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

With Minister Kuleba, we will address the current situation and Ukraine’s needs both now and for the future. 

We are transforming NATO’s comprehensive assistance package into a multi-year programme of assistance. 

We are helping Ukraine move closer to NATO, NATO standards on everything from procurement to logistics.

And we are supporting Ukraine’s reform efforts to bring Ukraine ever closer to the Alliance. 

Ukraine will become a member of NATO. 
It is a question of when, not if. 

Tomorrow, we will also meet with our Indo-Pacific partners: Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. 
Together with 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 its 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 advance their missile and nuclear capabilities.

This has regional and global security consequences.

So like-minded nations around the world need to stand together. 
To defend a global order ruled by law, not by force.

Tomorrow we will discuss how best to work together towards this end. 

We also have much to gain from practical cooperation – including on technology, cyber, and hybrid threats.
As well as support to Ukraine.

All of this matters for European security.
And for Indo-Pacific security.
 
Countering rising global threats requires sustained spending.

A record number of Allies will meet NATO’s 2 percent of GDP spending target this year. 
And I look forward to further progress. 

At our ministerial, we will also discuss how to address instability in our southern neighbourhood. 
Including the continuing threat of terrorism.

We will also agree a new policy on Women, Peace and Security.
Because our societies are stronger and safer when we draw on the contributions of all our people.

And with that, I am happy to take some questions. 

Lorne Cook, Associated Press
Secretary General, I understand you’ve been working on an idea of perhaps more predictable longer term support for Ukraine that might involve the transfer of the Ukrainian contact group to NATO control, perhaps also some finances. Could you tell us a bit more about it and why it’s important, please.

NATO Secretary General
Well, I see that you have been briefed on the proposal, but I will not go into the details of the proposal. What I can say is that I welcome that Allies agree that we need to sustain our support to Ukraine, we need to make it more robust and therefore we are now discussing ways to institutionalize more of the support within a NATO framework to make it more predictable to make it more robust, because we strongly believe that support Ukraine should be less dependent on short term voluntary offers and more dependent on long term NATO commitments. By doing that, we will give Ukraine what they need. And that is long term, predictable, robust support. And that will also send a message to Moscow that they cannot wait those out. And the reality is that if you want this war to end, the sooner we can convince Moscow that they will not win on the battlefield. They cannot wait us out, the sooner we can then be able to reach a peace agreement where Russia realized that that they cannot win the war, but have to sit down and negotiate an agreement where Ukraine prevails as a sovereign independent nation. So a stronger NATO role in coordinating and providing support is a way to end this war in a way where Ukraine provides. We already have a lot of coordination, 99% of the support to Ukraine comes from NATO allies and of course, I welcome that capability coalition’s the Ramstein format, many other multinational and bilateral initiatives, but there is a need to give this a more robust and institutional framework to ensure predictability and commitment for long haul.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah
Thank you. The next question is to Florian from ZDF

Florian Neuhann ZDF
Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Stoltenberg. That number we were briefed on is 100 billion. Can you say anything about this number, and especially if you’re talking about fresh and new money or just adding up what has been promised already by member states of NATO? And the second question, are you planning to abolish the Ramstein format and really include it into NATO?

NATO Secretary General
So first, what is obvious is that we need new and more money for Ukraine and we need it over many years. And the whole idea now discussing frameworks commitments and institutionalized framework for the support is to ensure more predictability and more confidence in that moment will come every month every year for the long haul. So again, I will not go into the details. I don’t, there will be no finalization at the meeting today and tomorrow, we will hopefully move forward towards consensus and then we will have an agreement in place by the summit. The reason why we do this is the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine. It is serious. We see Russia is pushing and we see how they try to win this war but just waiting us out. And then for we need to answer by sending a clear message of practical support, financial support, and an institutional framework that ensures that we are there for the long haul to be able to end the war.

So I’m absolutely certain that I agree that we need more money, we need new money. We need it for many years. What we are now discussing is exactly the framework to establish that. Whatever we do, of course, will be closely coordinated with all the other initiatives that NATO allies are part of. NATO as part of their Ramstein group. NATO allies are part of their own subgroup. 99% of the NATO support provided to the Ramstein group is provided by NATO allies. We meet here at the NATO Headquarters we discussed this issue both at the Rammstein format and headquarters with the discussed about NATO, the ministerial meetings, it’s very much the same people are not actually the people responsible for delivering the support today, it’s actually many of them working for NATO allies, all of them are working for NATO allies. And the general responsible for the whole logistics, then the support that goes to Poland to the hub in Poland and all the work in this problem that underpins the work. That’s General Cavoli and General Cavoli is the US commander in Europe, but General Cavoli is also the NATO commander in Europe. And of course, I think that General Cavoli can coordinate with General Cavoli. It’s the same man, the same people the same countries the same money from the same countries. So of course, NATO allies will be able to coordinate now we’re discussing how to have the best institutions, the best commitments, and the best framework to ensure efficiency, predictability, political oversight, and that we have the endurance needed to ensure that Ukraine prevails.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah
Thank you. The next question is the colleague from European Pravda.

European Pravda
Thanks so much. Mr. Secretary Generals, two quick questions. First, could you please prepare us on what’s going to be discussed at the NATO Korean Council and whether those things that you mentioned regarding Ukraine support long term commitments are going to be part of that? Second question. Ukrainian leadership has been claiming that Russia is preparing a major counter offensive to take place in May or June. So what is NATO’s assessment of that? Do you see any preparations any military build-up on the part of Russia to do that? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General
Well, we see a constant Russian military build-up, we see how they are receiving ammunition weapons from North Korea and Iran. A significant amount of weapons and ammunition. We see on Russia has been able to put the economy on a war footing, and we see how Russia Moscow is willing to pay a very high price in terms of men and material in marginal gains on the Ukrainian battlefield with little to no respect for human lives. So this is of course, the reason why the situation on the battle frontline is so difficult is so challenging. And that’s exactly the reason why we need to do more from NATO allies. Both the urgent need for more air defence for more artillery, but also the more long term institutionalized effort of establishing the frameworks the structures, moving away from short term announcements, short terms offers to long term real commitments, multi year commitments to ensure the predictability and the sustainability our support to address exactly what we have seen coming from Russia, military build-up over a long time.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah
Thank you very much. We’ll move over to New Zealand TV.

New Zealand TV
How important is it that the Indo Pacific partners continue to give to Ukraine as well? And how important is it that they’re here for these next two days?

NATO Secretary General
I welcome very much that our Indo Pacific partners take part in our foreign ministers meeting in Brussels today and tomorrow. I just met with the Foreign Minister of New Zealand. We had a very good discussion, and it reflects the fact that our security is not regional our security is global. What happens in Ukraine matters for Asia. The more successful Putin is in Ukraine, the more likely it is that we can see something similar happen in the South China Sea. And we see also how Russia’s friends in Asia are helping him supporting his war aggression against Ukraine, Iran and North Korea, key providers of weapons and ammunition to Russia. So this just highlights that security in Asia is intertwined with security in Europe and for the Asia and the Pacific is important for us.
I welcome the fact that I have now invited for the third time, the Heads of State and government from New Zealand, Australia, Japan and South Korea, our partners of the Asia Pacific to attend the summit in Washington in July. This reflects that we are actually doing more together. And I believe I announced the welcome that we are now discussing also flagship projects. How we could do more on cyber, on resilience, also in providing support to Ukraine and I commend New Zealand and other partners in the region for actually being major providers of non-lethal support to NATO’s comprehensive system package for Ukraine. So, yeah, we welcome them, it’s great to have such strong partners.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah
Thank you. We’ll take one final question from Alexandra.

Question
Hello, thank you. And will and how will hopefully Ukraine contact group be instilled in the NATO organism. And is it a form of a Trump proof measure? Does it indicate that NATO is concerned with the possibility of Trump presidency?

NATO Secretary General
He first of all, again, NATO is part of the contact group. The contact Group has done extremely important work has been key in delivering support, and NATO allies have delivered unprecedented level of military support to Ukraine, not least organized by the UDCG, the Ukraine defence contact group, the Ramstein format, and as I said we were able to coordinate with existing structures, because it’s very much the same people in charge of everything, here it is General Cavoli who is the US commander, but the same time also the NATO commander, so of course, this this will be coordinated. Then, then what was the next question?

Question
… Trump proof measure?

NATO Secretary General
Well, the reason why we discussed this is that we see the situation on the battlefield. We see how demanding and difficult the situation is in Ukraine. So therefore we welcome everything NATO allies have done. At the same time we see that we need to do more it’s; it’s not enough. And Ukrainians they need more support, but they also need more predictable and long term support. So it’s possible to plan to organize and launch offensives that then you need long term planning you need to know what you are going to have and what type of equipment and what kind of support and what kind of maintenance. And this requires stronger institutionalized framework to deliver a more robust and predictable support to Ukraine. So that’s the reason why we’re discussing this. It’s a reflection of the seriousness on the battlefield. Then I would like to say that of course we all believe it’s important, or I strongly believe it’s important that allies make decisions fast. And that includes, of course, United States, because the United States is not the only supporter for Ukraine. Actually, European Allies and Canada are providing roughly 50% of their military support to Ukraine. So this is really a shared effort by the United States and the European allies and Canada. But of course, United States is the biggest ally and is providing the most military support. And the fact that there has been no agreement in the US Congress on a supplemental or continued this support has consequences. That’s one of the reasons why the Ukrainian have to ration the number of artillery shells, why they have problems standing up against the Russian force with overwhelming military power because of they’re able to outgun them with more ammunition and more artillery. And the answer to that is to then make the decisions and not least in the US Congress. Any delay has real consequences on the battlefield. I met senators, members of the House of Representatives and they’re all assured me that there is a big majority in the US Congress for support. So the issue is now to turn that majority into a vote from decision. And I hope that’s going to happen as soon as possible. It also brings majority in the US public for continued support to Ukraine. So I expect the US now to make a decision because it’s in the US security interest to ensure that President Putin doesn’t prevail in Ukraine, not least because this will also encourage other authoritarian leaders, including Beijing to use military force and violate international law.

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah
Thank you. There will be opportunities for more questions this afternoon. Thank you.

Source: NATO

For its 75th anniversary, NATO has launched a digital time capsule. The Alliance is collecting artefacts from 2024 to capture moments of the present and messages for the future.