NATO Secretary Common Jens Stoltenberg met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Friday (26 April 2024), thanking him for Germany’s main function in NATO and its help to Ukraine. “Germany makes main contributions to our shared safety,” mentioned Mr Stoltenberg.
The Secretary Common welcomed that Germany is strengthening its presence within the japanese a part of the Alliance by deploying a brigade to Lithuania; its contributions to Baltic Air Policing; and the truth that Germany has dedicated 12,000 troops to Steadfast Defender, the most important NATO train for the reason that Chilly Conflict. He additional praised the Chancellor’s “historic and crucial Zeitenwende” for resulting in main will increase in defence spending. “The truth that Germany now invests 2% of GDP in defence issues for all Allies,” he mentioned.
Mr Stoltenberg additionally pointed to the significance of German management on help to Ukraine, noting that Germany is the largest European contributor of navy support. He thanked Germany for its determination to ship a 3rd Patriot system to Ukraine, including: “I strongly consider that different Allies ought to observe the instance of Germany.” The Secretary Common welcomed that different Allies have stepped up with new choices, together with america, the UK, and the Netherlands. “It’s our accountability to show these contributions into deliveries rapidly,” he mentioned.
“We should additionally stay vigilant concerning covert Russian actions throughout the Alliance,” mentioned Mr Stoltenberg. He famous that Germany has arrested people accused of espionage and sabotage, and that UK authorities have charged 5 people in reference to hostile state exercise to learn Russia. “NATO Allies stand in full solidarity with Germany and the UK,” he mentioned. He added: “such acts are harmful and unacceptable. They won’t deter us from offering help to Ukraine, and we’re coordinating intently in our response to any hostile act towards NATO Allies.”
Earlier on Friday, the Secretary Common met with parliamentarians from the Committee on Overseas Affairs and the Defence Committee of the German Bundestag. On Thursday, the Secretary Common obtained the Eric M. Warburg Award from the Atlantik-Brücke in Berlin. Mr Stoltenberg additionally visited the 73 Tactical Air Wing at Laage Air Base, the place he flew in a German Eurofighter.