By Janet Ekstract
BRUSSELS (TURKISH JOURNAL) – Ahead of meetings on the first official day of the NATO Summit in Brussels on Monday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg held a press briefing where he commented: “We meet at a pivotal moment for our Alliance.” Stoltenberg added that a “new chapter” was being opened in transatlantic relations at this summit and emphasized that both Russia and China are priorities on the summit agenda. He said that NATO leaders will be working together on an “ambitious, forward looking agenda, the NATO2030 agenda.”
Stoltenberg said the NATO2030 agenda includes discussions about how to “reinforce our collective defense, how to strengthen our resilience and sharpen our technological edge.” He added that for the first time in NATO’s history that climate action and security are being made top priorities for the Alliance. He commented that there needs to more investment and that he was pleased in the increased defense spending in the last seven years “across European allies and Canada.” Stoltenberg also said that USD 260 billion extra was added for defense spending.
The NATO secretary-general said he is confident that decisions made at the summit will convey a strong message of unity and resolve in making NATO stronger amid an era of global competition. He lauded U.S. President Joe Biden’s strong commitment to NATO, North America and Europe and his collaborative approach to working together with the Alliance. Stoltenberg says NATO has proved it can deliver on its “core task” of deterrence and defense. He emphasized maintaining the “strong bond” between partner nations and the “Alliance partnership.”
