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NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte – Good morning, it’s good to be back at the EPC and I must really say Armenia is putting up a great show, it’s highly successfully organised. Any questions?
Reporter – Some observers described this event, with the invitation of Prime Minister Carney, that this seems like a NATO Summit without the United States, what do you make of it?
NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte – Well, I mean, obviously this is the European Political Community so the United States is not a member but I have no doubt that global affairs will be discussed. As you know, as we know, there has been some disappointment on the US side when it comes to European reaction to what is happening now in the Middle East and the campaign of Israel and the US against Iran. But I would also argue that what I’m hearing from all my contacts with European leaders is that European leaders have gotten the message, they’ve heard the message from the US loud and clear. And we have seen all these countries now participating with their bilateral agreements making sure that when it comes to basing requests and all the logistical support, this is delivered. This is Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Greece, Italy, the UK, France and Germany. And secondly, I see more and more European countries pre-position essential logistical and other support, for example, minehunters, minesweepers close to theatres so that, for the next phase, they are ready. So, I would argue that, yes, there has been some disappointment from the US side but Europeans have listened to the message from the US and from the US President, like they did last year when it came to the NATO Summit.
Reporter – How large does Trump loom over this Summit?
NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte – Obviously as I said to your colleague, transatlantic affairs will be discussed. We know that has been a disappointment on the US side. But also, I would say Europeans have heard the message, they are now making sure that all the bilateral basing agreements are being implemented. They have decided to position – pre-position assets – key assets close to theatre for the next phase, as they listened to the US President last year in The Hague when it comes to the spending commitment. So, Europeans are stepping up - a bigger role for Europe in a stronger NATO.
Reporter – What do you think about removing American soldiers from Germany?
NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte – Well, as I’ve just mentioned to your colleagues, not going into that specific situation, we have seen some disappointment on the US side when it comes generally – and I’m not talking specifically about Germany because Germany has, from day one, implemented what bilaterally they agreed beforehand - over the last decades, when it comes to basing requests and all that. But more generally, we have seen some disappointment on the US side with the reaction of Europeans to what is happening in Iran and the US trying to make sure the world is safer by making sure that Iran’s nuclear and long missile capacity is being degraded, but at the same time I would say the Europeans have heard the message. We are seeing now that, when it comes to the bilateral basing requests and logistical support, it is being delivered. I mentioned all the countries being involved here to your colleague, and we’re also seeing many countries now starting to pre-position key assets close to theatre, for the next phase. So, I would say again, the Europeans have heard the message from the US and the US President – like last year – with the Summit in the Hague – where we collectively agreed for a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO.