Speech

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends.

I am honoured to join you all today. 
I am only sorry I cannot be with you in person.
Especially as you meet on the beautiful shores of Lake Ohrid.

In 2020, I was deeply proud to be the NATO Secretary General that saw North Macedonia take its place as the thirtieth member of the NATO Alliance.

This was only possible thanks to the Prespa Agreement. 
The fifth anniversary of which we celebrate in just two days’ time. 
It was the result of years of perseverance and determination from both sides. 
As well as a strong commitment to reform.

The Prespa agreement made NATO accession possible. 
It has also contributed to good neighbourly relations and a brighter future for North Macedonia.

North Macedonia is a valued Ally. 
It contributes to our peace-keeping mission in Kosovo. 
A role that is vital for the security of the Western Balkans, especially at a time of heightened tensions. 
In the past few days, we have bolstered our KFOR mission with hundreds of extra troops in a clear demonstration of NATO’s commitment to the region.

North Macedonia has increased defence spending. 
And it is supporting our partner, Ukraine, in its time of greatest need. 
Including with a commitment to send attack helicopters.

NATO can count on North Macedonia, just as you can count on NATO. 
The clearest example is the NATO jets that patrol your skies as part of our Air Policing. 

This is NATO action and solidarity in action. 
Good for North Macedonia.
Good for the Western Balkans.
And good for the Euro-Atlantic security.

Agreements like Prespa are an important part of the rules-based international order. 
Ensuring our freedom, our prosperity and our future.

The alternative is disaster, as we see in Ukraine.

Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe and fundamentally changed our shared security. 

Whenever the war ends, our relationship with Moscow has changed fundamentally. 
The security landscape in Europe will never be the same.

President Putin wants a different Europe. 
He sees freedom and democracy as a threat. 

We also see how China and Russia are drawing closer together. 
China is not our adversary, 
but it is challenging our security, our interests and our values. 

As authoritarian regimes increase their cooperation, 
it is even more important that all those who believe in freedom and democracy stand together. 
To promote peace, 
protect our shared security, 
and defend the global rules.
We demonstrate this most clearly through institutions like NATO and the European Union.

This event asks whether we will have a ‘widened European family by 2030’? 
Whether that is ‘Mission Impossible’ or ‘Mission Possible’? 
The answer is that it is more than possible. 
It is actually happening.

Following in North Macedonia’s footsteps, Finland has now joined the Alliance.
This is a direct response to Russia’s war of aggression against a neighbour. 
And I am working hard to ensure that Sweden’s accession is completed as soon as possible. 

Ukraine also belongs in the Euro-Atlantic family. 
All Allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO. 
And that decision will be for Ukraine and NATO Allies alone. 
Russia does not have a veto.

The world is at cross-roads. 
In one direction lies fear, oppression and war. 
But in the other, there is hope, democracy and peace. 
And that is the path that NATO will always choose. 

Thank you again and I wish you all the very best for the rest of the conference.

Thank you.