Remarks

Thank you, Andrew, for that kind introduction.

At the entrance to NATO’s new headquarters in Brussels a twisted piece of metal stands vigil.

It is a rusted, 6-foot section of steel girder that was recovered.

From this spot.

In the ruins of the Twin Towers.

This is a fragment of American history. Which is also an important part of NATO’s history.

I want to thank the National September 11 Memorial for making it available to NATO. 

It serves as a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between the United States and its NATO Allies across Europe and Canada.

It is also a daily reminder of the deadly dangers posed by terrorism.

The importance of standing together to protect our people and our values.

Coming here to Ground Zero is a time for solemn reflection. 

A time to pay tribute to the innocent victims of 9/11.

A time to remember the suffering, the sorrow, and the staggering loss on that terrible day.

But let us also recall the sense of community and common purpose that emerged from the wreckage. 

The goal of terrorism is to spread fear.

And to sow discord, division, and disunity.

Our response to terrorism – in all its forms – wherever it appears – is to unite and stand up for our open and free societies.

We have many tools available in the fight against terrorism.

And we need to use them all.

Because terrorism comes in many forms.

And wears many different guises.

It rears its head in conflicts far away.

But also in our own cities.

To fight radicalization at home, we need social workers, teachers and religious leaders.

Poets and artists.

People from all walks of life.

We need our police and intelligence services.

To bring an end to conflicts which fuel terrorism, we need political, diplomatic, and economic efforts.

And we need military might.

NATO’s involvement in the fight against terrorism stems directly from the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

For the first – and only – time in NATO’s history, we invoked the mutual defence clause – Article 5 – of our founding treaty.

Which states that an attack against one is an attack against all.

In the days that followed 9/11, NATO planes helped to patrol American skies.

Soon after, troops from NATO Allies deployed to Afghanistan.

To prevent that country from ever again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of troops from America’s NATO Allies and our partners have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with American soldiers in Afghanistan.

More than 1,000 have paid the ultimate price.

And today, NATO Allies continue to stand with the United States.

In Afghanistan and elsewhere.

All NATO Allies take part in the Global Coalition to defeat ISIS.

NATO provides surveillance aircraft and training. 

We have taught counterterrorism tactics in countries like Egypt, Mauritania and Morocco.

And our troops are helping to develop special forces in Jordan and Tunisia.

We recently decided to boost NATO’s contribution to the fight against terrorism.

With a new training mission in Iraq.

And more support for our partners in the Middle East and North Africa.

We also agreed to sustain our military and financial support for Afghanistan.

Training local forces is one of the best weapons we have in the fight against terrorism.

Because prevention is better than intervention.

Instead of deploying large numbers of combat forces, it is more sustainable to help our neighbours to stabilize their own countries.

If our neighbours are more stable, we are more secure.

Visiting this solemn space reminds us what is at stake.

So I want to thank you.

For creating this poignant and powerful memorial and museum.

Along with educational programs about the 9/11 attacks and terrorism.

Helping to bolster our resilience.

And reminding us who we are. 

Your guidance and inspiration have been helpful to other countries and communities that have suffered from terrorism. 

I was Prime Minister of Norway on July 22, 2011.

A date that will live in infamy in the history of our small country.

Seventy-seven innocent men and women, boys and girls, were coldheartedly killed by a hate-filled, white Norwegian.

With an extremist ideology.

And a willingness to use indiscriminate violence.

Against innocent civilians.

In the years since, Norway has benefited from the invaluable insights from the National September 11 Memorial.

Helping Norway to heal.

And to reaffirm in our own memorials a strong resolve to preserve freedom.

And to end hatred and intolerance.

In Norway, we created a Memory Tree.

Inspired by the Survivor Tree here at Ground Zero.

A month after the Twin Towers fell, workers uncovered the last living thing to emerge from the rubble.

Only a few signs of life – a few determined leaves – remained. 

For nine years, the Survivor Tree was lovingly nursed back to health.

And then returned here to the Memorial Plaza in 2010.

A Phoenix risen from the ashes.

You have donated seedlings from the Survivor Tree to communities that have been scarred by tragedies.

Here in the United States and abroad.

As living symbols of hope, renewal and rebirth.

And I am honoured that you are donating one of the Survivor Tree seedlings to be planted at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

A living companion to that twisted piece of metal from the rubble of the Twin Towers.

It will commemorate the thousands of NATO soldiers who have given their lives fighting terrorism.

Now I would like to present two gifts of my own to the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

One is a photograph of our 9/11 and Article 5 Memorial at the entrance to NATO headquarters.

The second is a copy of NATO’s founding Treaty.

The Treaty enshrines the enduring bond between Europe and North America.

And our abiding commitment to democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. 

Values that strengthen us.

And will help us prevail over hatred, violence and intolerance.