NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the Summit of NATO leaders that started in Vilnius. The Secretary General of the organization said this at a joint press conference following negotiations with US President Joe Biden.
“The agreement reached the day before (between Turkey, Sweden and NATO) will lay the way for a full membership of Sweden in the Alliance. This will even more strengthen the defense potential of all the union countries,” he said.
Stoltenberg thanked the United States for an important role in the alliance. “Your strong leadership helps to maintain the unity of the alliance, and makes it even stronger,” he said.
The Secretary General called the “historical” that began today, July 11, the Summit of NATO leaders in Vilnius. “The agreement reached the day before (between Turkey, Sweden and NATO) will pave the way for a full membership of Sweden in the alliance. This will even more strengthen the defense potential of all the allied countries,” he said.
The politician also emphasized that NATO unanimously continues to support Ukraine in the continuing war. According to him, the leaders on the passing summit intend to give positive messages regarding the membership of Ukraine in NATO.
In addition, Stoltenberg emphasized the need to increase the defense budget of the member countries of the Alliance. Regarding the decision on the mandatory increase in the defense budget to 2 percent of GDP, the Secretary General said that at the moment European partners and Canada allocate a budget in a multiple more amount than the indicated minimum. “This indicates that partners are fulfilling their obligations,” said Stoltenberg.
The US President, in turn, noted that the situation in Ukraine and the issue of expansion of NATO made today’s summit.
According to Bayden, Stoltenberg, like the Secretary General of NATO, knows the best of everyone what the Alliance is faced with.