Opening remarks
by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers
(As delivered)
Good afternoon. We are ready to start, so welcome to all of you.
Welcome to this meeting of NATO Defence Ministers.
The first ministerial meeting to be held in our new headquarters. A 21st century building, fit for 21st century challenges.
Today we will take further decisions to strengthen our Alliance, to ensure our collective deterrence and defence. We will adapt our Command Structure, raise the readiness of our forces, and increase their ability to reinforce rapidly, when needed.
We will address burden-sharing and make sure that we remain ready to face any threat from any direction.
So this is a vital meeting as we prepare for the NATO Summit in July and for the security of our Alliance in an unpredictable world.
This concludes the public part of the meeting.
And I thank the media for being with us here in our new building. Thank you so much.