Remarks

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NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte

Good afternoon. It is really an honour to have Bridge Colby visiting today, and you are a great friend.

You were here in February, and then we discussed the absolute need for Europe to step up, and Canada, to step up in NATO, and to have a more honest and a more equitable sharing of what we are doing within NATO with the United States.

You coined the phrase NATO 3.0, and that's basically what we are now all using, because it was very well put. It is a stronger Europe and a stronger Canada in a stronger NATO – and it is happening. When you look, at the moment, in 2025, 139 billion dollars extra spent on defence by the Canadians and the Europeans compared to the years before. And it is still continuing, with still much more to be done. We will get there. When you look at the capabilities, the same good news story. And when it comes to the leadership positions within NATO, the same is happening.

Then we had a visit in June of Secretary Hegseth, and he said: Hey, listen, we constantly have to look at what is the best footprint for the US in Europe given the security environment. And he said: We will consult with our Allies. This is exactly what you have been doing over the last couple of months. Today is also evidence of that. You being here at the meeting with the Ambassadors, also consulting on this, discussing with Allies what is the best way forward.

So, thank you for that. Thank you for your leadership and for being such an incredible friend.