Opening remarks

by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the North Atlantic Council meeting at the level of Defence Ministers

  • 27 Jun. 2019 -
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  • Last updated: 27 Jun. 2019 09:29

(As delivered)

Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

So dear friends, I think we are ready to start. Good morning, and welcome to all of to this working session on deterrence and defence, and burden sharing.

Today we will take stock of NATO’s strengthened deterrence and defence posture.

This includes our maritime and air defence.

And NATO’s first-ever, overarching space policy.

We will discuss the steps we are taking to improve the readiness of our forces to respond wherever and whenever needed.

Including our “Four Thirties” Readiness Initiative.

And we will address progress on burden-sharing.

To ensure effective deterrence and defence, we need to keep investing in our security.

The first figures for defence spending for 2019 are encouraging.

We have seen a real change in the recent years.

Not just in cash, but also increased investment in capabilities, and contributions to NATO’s missions and operations.

There is still work to do, as we look towards the Leaders’ meeting at the end of the year.

But we are heading in the right direction.

This concludes the public part of the meeting.

And once again, I thank the media for being with us today. So thank you very much.