Jens Stoltenberg’s emphasis on Turkey in NATO defense

NATO Secretary Basic Jens Stoltenberg made statements earlier than the NATO International Ministers Assembly.

NATO defense and Turkey’s crucial function had been on Stoltenberg’s agenda.

“NATO IS IMPORTANT IN EUROPE’S DEFENSE”

Answering journalists’ questions earlier than the two-day NATO International Ministers Assembly that can begin tomorrow, Stoltenberg emphasised that NATO has a vital place in the defense of Europe.

Stoltenberg stated that this was accepted not solely by NATO but additionally by the European Union (EU).

“TURKEY IS CRITICAL TO PROTECT EUROPE”

Stoltenberg acknowledged that 90 % of the EU inhabitants additionally lives in NATO international locations, however solely 20 % of defense expenditures are made by EU international locations, “It is partly about cash, but it surely’s additionally about geography. Iceland in the north, Turkey in the south, the US, Canada and the UK in the west after all. These international locations are all crucial to the safety and defense of Europe.” used the phrase.

Stoltenberg famous that any try to weaken transatlantic ties won’t solely weaken NATO, but additionally divide Europe.

“PUTIN RESPONSIBLE”

Russia was additionally on the agenda of the NATO Secretary Basic.

Reminding that US President Joe Biden used the time period “assassin” for Russian President Vladimir Putin and requested whether or not he would use the identical expression, Stoltenberg stated that Russia has proven an aggressive perspective in direction of its neighbors resembling Georgia and Ukraine in latest years, and that NATO allies have been concerned in their home political processes. He stated he intervened and put strain on the opposition in the nation.

Stoltenberg, “That is not all. The duty for the actions of the Russian state, after all, is Russian President Vladimir Putin. We see an aggressive habits sample. These embrace the killing of dissidents and homicide makes an attempt. In NATO, there may be additionally a press release that Russia has put a reward for the killing of NATO troopers in Afghanistan. “We’re additionally anxious in regards to the information. All of this isn’t a mannequin of acceptable habits. We’ll proceed to face agency and powerful. On the similar time, we are going to comply with the two-way path that features deterrence, defense, in addition to dialogue.” stated.

ALL OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE IN AFGHANISTAN

Whereas giving details about the NATO International Ministers Assembly, Stoltenberg acknowledged that the ministers will put together for the NATO Summit to be held in Brussels this yr.

Itemizing the challenges forward of NATO as Russia’s destabilizing actions, the rise of China, local weather change, the specter of terrorism, superior cyber assaults and harmful applied sciences, Stoltenberg stated that they need to strengthen the alliance.

Stoltenberg acknowledged that the problem of the withdrawal of worldwide forces from Afghanistan till Might 1, pursuant to the settlement made by the USA with the Taliban final yr, may even be mentioned on the assembly. “At the moment all choices stay open. The safety scenario in Afghanistan is difficult. We’ll take all obligatory measures to maintain our troopers protected.” stated.