NATO Secretary General thanks Germany for its leadership within the Alliance
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen thanked Germany for its pivotal role in the Alliance during a visit to Berlin on Wednesday (2 July). “I am very grateful for Germany’s leading role in Afghanistan and in Kosovo. You have shown your commitment to your fellow Allies in reinforcing our collective defence in light of the Russia-Ukraine crisis,” he said after talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Mr. Fogh Rasmussen also held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen to prepare the Wales Summit in September and to discuss the challenging situation on NATO's eastern and southern borders. Meetings with members of the German Bundestag’s Foreign Policy Committee and the Defence Committee are also on the agenda to discuss a broad range of security issues.
The Secretary General expressed his gratitude to Chancellor Merkel for her personal commitment in trying to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis. “Russia’s actions threaten the peace and security we have built after the fall of the Berlin Wall. And let me stress: nobody wants to return to the Europe of the Cold War,” he said. “We cannot have new dividing lines across our continent. Therefore, I call on Russia to reverse its course and to begin the long process of rebuilding the trust it has broken.” The Secretary General stressed that in today’s dangerous world, "it is important that we keep our robust defences to keep our nations safe, and I count on all allies to take responsibility for their share of the cost of security to keep our alliance strong."