Today at 11:18
Mark Rutte, the former Dutch Prime Minister, has officially taken over as the new Secretary General of NATO, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg.
Stoltenberg expressed confidence in Rutte, stating that he has an “ideal background” for the role.
Mark Rutte stated that Ukraine will be the main issue on the list of his priorities as the new head of the Alliance.
Rutte said this ahead of the ceremony of taking office at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday.
Rutte noted that the priorities of Stoltenberg during his time as Secretary General will also become his priorities in the future.
“Ukraine. We must ensure that Ukraine remains a sovereign, independent, and democratic nation,” Rutte said. He emphasized that Ukraine is “at the top of the list” of his priorities.
Other priorities, according to him, will be the deterrence and defense of the Alliance.
“We must spend more. We must strengthen our collective defense,” Rutte stressed.
He also mentioned that, like Stoltenberg, he will build NATO alliances with partners around the world.
“One thing will definitely not change. It is NATO’s key mission: to protect our people, our countries, and, of course, our values,” Rutte said.
Stoltenberg, for his part, stated that with the Dutchman at the helm, NATO will be in good hands.
Rutte was officially appointed as NATO Secretary General in June of this year.
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