Opening remarks
by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) in Foreign Ministers' session (afternoon session)
(As delivered)
So welcome. We are ready to start the last our last shared session today.
Good afternoon.
We will dedicate this session to discussing NATO’s Open Door policy.
Montenegro’s accession last year demonstrates that NATO’s door remains open.
NATO enlargement has been a historic success.
It has increased stability, cooperation and prosperity across the Euro-Atlantic region.
Based on our shared values of democracy, individual liberty and rule of law.
Every country has the sovereign right to choose its own path to further its security and prosperity.
That is a fundamental right, which must be respected.
And any decision to welcome a new member is taken by the 29 Allies.
No other country has a say on membership aspirations or the accession process.
This concludes the public part of this meeting.
I thank the media for being with us for the start of this meeting.
Many thanks.