Совместная пресс-конференция Генерального секретаря Йенса Столтенберга с канцлером Германии Ангелой Меркель

Thank you so much, Chancellor Merkel.

Dear Angela. It is always a pleasure to meet with you. 

Germany plays an essential role in NATO.

And in international peace and security.

You lead our multinational battlegroup in Lithuania. You will host the new NATO support command in Ulm.  And you make major contributions to NATO operations – from Afghanistan to Kosovo and the Aegean Sea.

We just had an excellent discussion to prepare for the NATO Summit in Brussels next month.

We agree that we must continue to increase the readiness of our forces.

To respond to the challenges we face. 

We also agree that our dual-track approach to Russia is the right one:

Strong deterrence and defence combined with meaningful dialogue.

Our dialogue with Russia is not easy.

But the more difficult our relations are, the more we need dialogue.

To increase transparency, reduce risks,

and to continue to address our concerns about the situation in Ukraine.

As well as about Russia’s meddling in our domestic democratic processes. 

At the Summit, we will also take decisions on fighting terrorism and projecting stability.

We will launch a new training mission in Iraq.

To help Iraqis to stabilise their own country.

And make sure that ISIS does not come back.

Our training mission in Afghanistan is another key contribution to the fight against international terrorism.

And I expect that we will agree at the Summit to extend funding for the Afghan forces to 2024, to support them as they create the conditions for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. 

So NATO is addressing instability in our southern neighbourhood, which is a root cause of the refugee and migrant crisis.

We also discussed NATO’s cooperation with the European Union.

Which has reached unprecedented levels, in many areas. From our maritime operations to countering hybrid threats and cyber attacks.

I will sign a joint declaration with Presidents Tusk and Juncker.

Setting out a joint vision on how NATO and the EU can work even more closely together in the future.

And I welcome Germany’s efforts to keep the momentum in our cooperation.

Because stronger EU efforts on defence mean a stronger NATO. Everything we do as an Alliance relies on fair burden sharing. And after many years of decline in our defence spending, we are now seeing significant progress.

All Allies have stopped the cuts.

All Allies are investing more. 

More Allies spend 2% of GDP on defence. And a majority have plans to do so by 2024.

So we have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. I welcome that Germany has stopped the cuts and started to increase.

With a 6 % real increase in defence spending last year. But I encourage you to do more.

And to make good on the pledge we all made on defence investment.

German leadership on this issue is crucial.

We must do this for our own security in an unpredictable world. 

Today, we see differences among our nations  on serious issues.

Such as trade, climate, and the Iran deal.

These disagreements are real.

But despite our differences, we can – and we must – sustain the transatlantic bond.

Because it has ensured our security for seventy years. And it remains vital for the future.  

Chancellor Merkel,

Thank you again for Germany’s outstanding contributions to NATO. For your strong leadership. And for your long-standing personal commitment to our transatlantic Alliance.

I look forward to continuing to work with you and to continue to work with you as we prepare for our upcoming Summit.