NATO: Strong Together in an Unpredictable World

I have just had an excellent series of meetings with Chancellor Merkel and with ministers Steinmeier and von der Leyen. I thanked each of them for their personal commitment and leadership in our Alliance. We discussed the wide range of security challenges we face, and our plans for the NATO Summit in September.

Our summit takes place at a critical time. For 65 years, the NATO Alliance has helped bring peace and prosperity to the free countries of Europe. Today, more than at any time since the end of the Cold War, that is being put to the test. From Eastern Europe to North Africa and the Middle East.

So we must remain ready to keep our nations safe. To respond to any threat.  To reinforce our network of partners around the world.  To help keep the world stable and secure.  And all allies must take their share of responsibility in keeping our transatlantic alliance strong.

I thank Germany for your leading role in Afghanistan. Your troops have done a remarkable job in the north of the country, as I saw for myself when I visited Mazar-e-Sharif.  Across the country, security has created the conditions for a better Afghanistan and given the Afghan people the opportunity to develop their country and to decide their own future.

At the end of the year, we will end our combat mission and turn a new page in Afghanistan.  Germany has again taken a leading role in offering to be framework nation in the new non-combat mission we are planning after 2014.  Taking the lead in training, advising and assisting Afghan forces.  Building on the many gains we have made.

Germany also plays a key role in keeping our collective defence strong. Both to our south, with a Patriot battery in Turkey, and to the east in the Baltic region.

In Szczecin in Poland, Germany is working closely with Poland and Denmark to enhance the readiness of NATO’s Multinational Corps Headquarters.  Contributing additional troops and turning it into a high readiness headquarters.  This is a significant contribution to the strengthening our collective defence.

Germany’s commitment to international peace and security is clear.    And this level of commitment is particularly important now. With her actions in Ukraine, Russia has violated international law and torn up the rule book that has served Europe so well since the end of the Cold War.

Such behaviour cannot be allowed to return to Europe.

No one wants to turn away from our cooperation with Russia. But no one can ignore that Russia has violated the very principles upon which our NATO-Russia cooperation is built.  And to which Russia herself was committed.

Germany has played a crucial role in the international response to Russia’s actions.  When Europe and the world needed you, you were there.

It is vital for Europe and the world that Germany remains strong.  To provide not only political and economical pressure, but military presence as well. 

So that no country can be in any doubt:  If the rules are broken, if our freedom, our people and our borders are threatened, we will respond. 

Of course, Germany’s defence priorities are for Germany to decide. But I would urge you, as I urge every Ally to give increased priority to your defence.  As European  economies recover from the economic crisis, so too should our investment in defence.

Today, our world is more dangerous and more unstable than at any time since the end of the Cold War.  By facing up to this reality, by investing in our own defence, and by standing together as one through the NATO Alliance, we will ensure our peace and security for another 65 years and beyond.