Opening remarks

Good morning and welcome.

Today marks a significant milestone, not only because it is my first meeting with you as Chair of the NATO Military Committee, but also because our gathering of Allied Chiefs of Defence is a testament of our Alliance's enduring unity and strength. 

Over the past three months, through my first engagements across our member and partner nations, I have reaffirmed three core convictions:

First, NATO’s deterrence and defence are not mere concepts; they are tangible realities, tested and proven over time.

Second, in these challenging times, it is imperative that we continue to provide our political leadership with the most unfettered and professional military advice, ensuring clarity and decisiveness in our collective actions.

Third, one of our greatest assets remains the cohesion among our militaries. This cohesion, built on trust, interoperability, and shared purpose, is the bedrock of our collective defence.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support and the insightful discussions we've had leading up to this meeting. 

Your commitment exemplifies the strength and solidarity of our Alliance.

An Alliance growing bigger, and stronger, as the challenges we face loom.

NATO’s adaptability is beautifully reflected in a Greek metaphor- the concept of the “APEROIGON”. 

As the number of sides of this shape increases, it gradually transforms into a circle.

Unlimited, seamless, infinite. 

In the same way, as NATO gains more members, more expertise, more insights, we come closer to that ideal. 

We become a circle of friends, a circle of unbreakable strength, offering advice that is as comprehensive as it is powerful.

In this regard, I would like to warmly welcome the new friends attending this meeting for the first time, joining our circle:

•    Major General Kaspars Pudāns, from Latvia
•    General Dan Caine, from the United States of America

And, of course, I extend this welcome to SACEUR and SACT, whose more-than-key strategic role within the Alliance, from two different, yet complementary perspectives, continues to be fundamental for deterrence and defence.

But before we continue, let us take a solemn moment to honour the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives or sustained injuries in the pursuit of peace, under the flags of NATO, the United Nations, the European Union, and other coalitions of the like-minded. 

Their dedication is the embodiment of our shared values and mission.

Their sacrifice shall never be forgotten.

Let us stand.

--- Minute of silence ---

Thank you.

As you all know, our Foreign Ministers are convening today and tomorrow in Antalya, Turkiye.

The objective of the meeting is to reflect our Alliance's comprehensive approach to addressing global challenges through unity and collaboration.

Therefore, Mr Mark Rutte, our Secretary General, together with the Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Shekerinska, cannot be with us.
The Secretary General has asked me to convey his full support, as he looks forward to the outcomes of our discussions.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Reflecting on today's date, 14 May, we are reminded of a pivotal moment in the history of human kind. 

On this day in 1796, the British physician and scientist Edward Jenner administered the first successful smallpox vaccination, laying the foundation for modern immunology. 

This achievement underscores the profound impact of foresight, preparation, and innovation; principles that resonate deeply with our mission to safeguard peace and security.

Preparing for war is our vaccine for maintaining peace.

As we look ahead to the upcoming Summit in The Hague, our focus must remain on what truly matters: 

-    Strengthening our deterrence and defence capabilities
-    enhancing our engagement with partners
-    and ensuring the security of our citizens and Allies against recognized and potential threats.

On top of this, our support to Ukraine shall and will remain iron-clad, so that - when the time will come - Kyiv will be able to sit at the negotiating table from a position of strength.

All this requires investing time and resources.

Because peace and stability cannot be taken for granted, and come with a price.

But the cost of security is nothing compared to the cost of fighting a war, and recovering from it. 

If we do not continue to invest in this ‘vaccine’ of deterrence, we expose ourselves to an increased risk of instability and make ourselves unnecessarily vulnerable to threat. 

Investing more – and not just spending more – is paramount to maintaining our peace now and in the future.

We praise the many Allies that have taken action, and the several that are seriously considering increasing their budget for defence. 

We encourage all to do more, investing in capabilities that will allow us to face current threats and be fully prepared for the future.

Therefore, following our agenda, today we will deal with these pressing topics:

1)  further strengthening the deterrence and defence of the Alliance;
2) supporting Ukraine in its resistance against Russia’s unprovoked aggression;
3) preparing for the Summit in The Hague.

And I look forward to our fruitful discussions.

Let me conclude by reaffirming that NATO is committed to stand as a beacon of the fundamental values we cherish: freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. 

In this context, the words of the late Pope Francis resonate deeply:

“The true soldier is not one who loves war, but the one who loves peace so much that he is willing to fight for it.”

Let us move forward, now and together, with renewed determination, guided by our shared commitment to peace, security, and the collective defence of our Alliance.

This concludes my public remarks. I look forward to meeting with the press later today, at the conclusion of today’s meeting.

Now, would the press personnel please exit the room? Thank you.