Opening Remarks by the NATO Secretary General

Good afternoon.

Let me start with yesterday’s vote in Kosovo.  I strongly condemn the attacks on polling stations in north Mitrovica. Violence and intimidation cannot be tolerated.

KFOR troops intervened rapidly at the request of the European Union mission, EULEX. KFOR deployed a quick reaction force to the area, as well as reserve units. Our forces also ensured freedom of movement on the routes through which the election ballots travelled to the counting centre.

The elections are an important element in the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. Violence should not be allowed to derail the progress achieved so far in this dialogue.

We will remain vigilant at this key moment.

KFOR will continue to act impartially, prudently and firmly to help maintain a safe and secure environment for all people in Kosovo.

In two days’ time, I will travel with the representatives of all 28 Allied nations to Latvia and Poland, to observe Exercise Steadfast Jazz.

This is a significant exercise. Firstly, it will serve as, let’s call it the ‘graduation test’, for the commanders and headquarters of the 2014 NATO Response Force, our quick-reaction force. And secondly, this is the first time that Poland and the Baltic States have hosted such a large-scale NATO exercise.

The purpose of the NATO Response Force is to be able to defend any Ally, deploy anywhere, and deter any threat – all at short notice.

It is the spearhead of NATO. Every year, we test it, to make sure that it is sharp and ready for use.

The air, sea and land headquarters that will command different parts of the force have already been tested. So now they will go through one final test together – and they will then be ready to go into action, if they are required. 

Their ability to command complex multinational forces at short notice is a vital part of NATO’s overall capabilities. So it is fitting that we should give them the recognition they deserve.

And I want to welcome the support that Poland and the three Baltic States are giving. I also welcome the participation of three valued partners, Finland, Sweden, and Ukraine.

The NATO Response Force is more than just a rapid-reaction force. It is the place where troops from across the Alliance learn to work together as a single, seamless team.

Plus de 6 000 militaires venant des pays de l’Alliance et de plusieurs pays partenaires participeront à l'exercice Steadfast Jazz. Près de la moitié d'entre eux prendront part aux manœuvres réelles. Celles-ci feront intervenir des moyens terrestres, maritimes et aériens importants, et comporteront une démonstration de tir réel.

L'autre moitié prendra part à l'exercice de commandement et de contrôle, qui impliquera plusieurs bases de l'OTAN dans toute l'Europe. Et, forts de cette expérience, tous retourneront dans leur pays d'origine.

En fait, l'exercice Steadfast Jazz a déjà débuté. Actuellement, treize navires mouillent au large de la côte polonaise. Soixante aéronefs sont engagés dans des opérations aériennes. Pendant ce temps, le personnel de notre structure de commandement et de contrôle est mis à l'épreuve derrière des écrans d'ordinateur, dans un camp de toile situé en Lettonie.

This exercise will do more than just keep the NATO Response Force fit and ready for action.

First of all, it will make sure that troops across the Alliance and beyond are ready and able to work together, whenever they go into action together.

Secondly, it demonstrates NATO’s commitment to its core mission: to safeguard security right across the Alliance.

And thirdly, it is exercises such as this which will build the NATO of the future. An Alliance with important partners whose troops have the education, the experience and the equipment they need to work together, and with partners. On any battlefield, in any environment, as a single, united force.

Trained as a team. Tested as a team. So that they can work as a team. No matter which country they come from.

And this is exactly the goal of the Connected Forces Initiative, which we are now developing. And which Defence Ministers recently decided will focus on five key elements:

• Firstly, a major exercise programme;
• Secondly, a large-scale exercise in 2015;
• Thirdly, an updated exercise policy;
• Fourthly, a broader training concept ;
• And fifthly, also technological aspects.

The NATO Response Force, with its regular series of exercises, will be at the centre of this initiative.

And major exercises like Steadfast Jazz are key.  This is where our commanders, our troops, and our training efforts, come together, to show what NATO is capable of – and make sure that we remain capable of it. We have already started the planning for another exercise of this kind to take place in 2015 in the southern part of Europe.

So I look forward to an impressive exercise this week. And I look forward to more such exercises, as we shape the NATO of the future.