NATO Military Committee farewells Jens Stoltenberg

Deputy Chair of the Military Committee Lieutenant General Andrew M. Rohling praised Stoltenberg’s democratic leadership and the spirit of strength and unity he has instilled in Allied Nations.  “Mr. Secretary General, you have been a true leader of the Alliance. You have charted our political course, firmly safeguarding NATO’s moral compass, supported by your own unfailing moral compass. You brought nations together and you inspired them to be bigger than themselves”.

The second-longest serving Secretary General in NATO's history, Jens Stoltenberg witnessed some of the most turbulent years in the Alliance’s history. The former Norwegian Prime Minister took office shortly after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. The following years saw major shifts in the security environment, especially with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, terrorist attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic and the formal accession of four new NATO Allies – Montenegro, North Macedonia, Finland and Sweden.

During this period, Jens Stoltenberg maintained the NATO’s high morale while actively contributing to the strengthening of the Allied political-military dialogue. “Throughout your term in office, you have always showed the utmost respect and a keen understanding of the military profession. You have made sure the political and military sides of the house grew closer together. That is why the connection between the Military Committee and the North Atlantic Council is so crucial”, Lieutenant General Rohling said.

Rohling: “The Alliance owes you a great debt. As a numbers man, and a former Minister of Finance, I know that you hate debt. Especially debt that can never fully be repaid. So we promise you here, that we will attempt to pay back our debt by working together in the spirit of strength and unity, following the example that you have set.”

In his response, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated: “It is actually me that owes you a debt of gratitude. For all of your hard work and cooperation over these past ten years. NATO is now bigger, stronger and more ready than ever to face any challenge.”

“It has been a real privilege to serve as Secretary General and work closely with the Military Committee, the Allied Chiefs of Defence and the Military Representatives”, Jens Stoltenberg shared. “As much as it may be sad to stepdown, NATO’s resilience and strength is not dependent on individuals but on the collective”.