Opening Remarks

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Good morning, fellas. Welcome to everyone joining us today for the NATO Military Committee here in Copenhagen.

First, we thank our hosts, Defence minister Jeppe Bruus, thank you for joining us, we are honoured by your presence.

General Hyldgaard – Michael – thank you for hosting the Military Committee, and thank you to Denmark, to Danish people and Armed Forces and to everyone who has worked to bring thirty-two Chiefs of Defence, as well as our two NATO Strategic Commanders, in this city.

From the High North to Ukraine, Denmark is consistently among the first Allies to step forward and deliver for NATO. Copenhagen is exactly the right place for our conversation.

I also want to welcome two new members of the Military Committee: General Zsolt Sándor, Chief of Defence of Hungary, and Lieutenant General Miroslav Hlaváč, Chief of Defence of Czechia.

General Sándor, you bring more than three decades of soldiering – from platoon leader to the top of the Hungarian Defence Forces, through operations abroad and service in NATO posts – and this Committee will be the stronger for it.

General Hlaváč, an artilleryman who commanded the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade and served from Kosovo to Afghanistan, you take your seat as Czechia readies its brigades for our collective defence. We look forward to your voice.

Finally, I am grateful to General Chris Mahoney Vice Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staffs for stepping in to represent General Dan Kaine at short notice. Chris, we already know you from your participation in our MC CHOD’s meeting in May of this year, and it is good to see you again.

We meet today with an important agenda.

Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine casts a long shadow. Incidents of sabotage, cyber-attacks, and airspace violations of multiple NATO Allies, including right here in Copenhagen, where unauthorised drones were detected near the airport, almost exactly one year ago.

Allies have reiterated that Russia bears full responsibility for this dangerous and unacceptable behaviour.

Allies have responded with cohesion and unity by sharpening all the tools of our deterrence and defence.

Notably NATO continues to strengthen its integrated air and missile defence.

Ukraine, meanwhile, continues the heroic fight for its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. And we support Ukraine.

Two months after NATO’s Summit in Ankara, the Alliance is implementing the decisions. NATO nations are committed to investing in our Defence, with European Allies and Canada taking greater responsibility for our shared security.

During this conference, we – the NATO Chiefs of Defence, together with SACEUR and SACT – will do the work that follows from Ankara Summit, as we shift from committing budgets to delivering on capabilities. We are accelerating and we are fielding capabilities to deter adversaries and defend the Euro-Atlantic area.

Today we will address collective deterrence and defence, innovation and technology, and rapid adoption of new defence capabilities.

Also, this afternoon, the 32 Chiefs of Defence will elect the next Chair of the NATO Military Committee, who will assume this post next summer.

But now, I would like to welcome the Danish Minister of Defence for his opening remarks.

Thank you very much once again, Sir, for your presence today. You have the floor.

[Opening remarks by the Minister of Defence of Denmark]

Thank you, Minister. I now give the floor to General Hyldgaard, the Danish Chief of Defence. Michael, you have the floor.

[Opening remarks by the Chief of Defence of Denmark]

Dear Minister, Michael, thank you once again for your inspiring words.

But before we continue, it is our sacred duty that we pause now and dedicate a due moment to recognise the service of the men and women in uniform who defend our freedom and way of life.

In particular, our thoughts are with those who have sacrificed their lives or sustained injuries during their service.

Let us take a solemn moment to honour them, and please, let us rise.

[Moment of silence for the Act of Remembrance]

Thank you.

This afternoon, General Hyldgaard and I will brief the media on the outcomes of our work at the Press Conference.

This concludes the public portion of our day. Thank you, Minister once again for joining us. Thank you.