Opening remarks
by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Foreign Ministers
(As delivered)
Then I hope we can start. So if you can please find your seats.
So good afternoon.
Today we will prepare for the NATO Leaders’ Meeting in just two weeks’ time.
We will discuss NATO’s continuing adaptation, including our approach to hybrid threats, Black Sea Security, energy security and space.
We will also address the issue of burden sharing. Where we are making substantial progress.
For the fifth consecutive year, European Allies and Canada are increasing their defence spending. This is making NATO stronger. And we are determined to keep up the momentum and to do more.
Finally, we will review NATO’s role in the fight against terrorism.
Our missions in Afghanistan and Iraq play an important role in helping these countries fight terrorism.
And our support to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS helps bring security to all our nations.
I thank the media for being here at the beginning of the meeting and we will continue the meeting in just a moment. So many thanks to the media.