Stoltenberg's first statement on the NATO summit in the US

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke at the opening of the Defense Industry Forum ahead of the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., in the US. Stoltenberg discussed the allies' plans to increase weapons production.

Speaking at the event hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, Stoltenberg said, "Without a robust defense industry, it is not possible to establish a strong defense."

Stoltenberg announced that NATO has signed a contract worth approximately 700 million dollars today for member countries to produce more Stinger missiles.

"WE WILL TAKE DECISIONS REGARDING UKRAINE"

Stoltenberg later met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the US Department of State as part of NATO's 75th Anniversary Commemoration Event.

In a joint press conference with Blinken, Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, is the most successful defense alliance in history, stating, "At this summit, in addition to celebrating the most successful alliance in history, important decisions will be made regarding the defense of Ukraine and partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region."

Thanking the US administration for ensuring that all 32 allies are in agreement on taking these important decisions, Stoltenberg said, "We will take decisions regarding Ukraine. I think what we have seen in recent days shows that we need to increase our support for Ukraine.

We have seen Russia carry out missile attacks on cities and a children's hospital, and many children and civilians have lost their lives. This only reveals the brutality of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the importance of supporting Ukraine's right to self-defense," he said.

"THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE ALLIANCE IN WORLD HISTORY"

Blinken emphasized that NATO is larger and stronger than it was before and thanked Stoltenberg, whose term is coming to an end, for his leadership.

Emphasizing that NATO was founded 75 years ago by 12 countries to prevent a new global catastrophe in the world after the First and Second World Wars, Blinken said, "The secret to NATO's success is the commitment that 12 countries made to each other back then, and now 32 countries make to each other.

This commitment is that an attack on one country is considered an attack on all. This is the greatest deterrent against potential attacks, and it is the best way to prevent wars before they even begin.

Because when an aggressor targets one country, they understand that they will be fighting against all of them. For this reason, 75 years later, NATO has become the most successful defense alliance in world history," he said.

News Source: İHA

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