“Ministers have had a very positive discussion on our NATO 2030 initiative. This is all about how NATO can continue to adapt to a rapidly changing security environment, with rising threats and systemic competition, major shifts in the global balance of power and increasing challenges to the rules based international order,” Mr. Stoltenberg said. “We all agree that the transatlantic relationship, embodied by NATO, remains the cornerstone of our collective defence, central to our political cohesion, and an essential pillar to the rules-based order,” he pointed out.
On Afghanistan, “Ministers emphasized their full support to all efforts to reinvigorate the peace process, because a negotiated solution is the only way to achieve a sustainable peace, which prevents Afghanistan from again becoming a platform for international terrorism,” the NATO Secretary General highlighted. “We will continue to consult very closely in the days and weeks to come, and we continue to decide and act together, as Allies,” he added.
Finally, Ministers had an exchange on the Middle East and North Africa, including NATO Mission Iraq. They restressed the importance to reinforce NATO’s partnerships in the region.
Read the Secretary General's press conference here.
They were joined by partner nations Finland and Sweden, as well as the EU High Representative Josep Borrell. “Russia has increased its pattern of repressive behaviour at home and aggressive behaviour abroad,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He stressed that NATO’s dual-track approach to Russia, combining strong deterrence and defence with openness to dialogue, remains valid. He underlined that all Allies welcome the recent decision to extent the New START Treaty and that NATO remains a unique platform for Europe and North America to consult on the future of arms control.
Read the transcript here.
Source: nato.int