New NATO Secretary General sees support for Ukraine as top priority

In his first speech in office on October 1, Mr. Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister , said: "There can be no lasting security in Europe without a strong and independent Ukraine," reaffirming the commitment NATO made in 2008 that "Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO."

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a handover ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, October 1. Photo: AP

However, Ukraine’s NATO membership remains elusive. Some member states, led by the United States and Germany, believe that Ukraine should not join the alliance while it is still in conflict with Russia.

The new NATO Secretary General also stressed the importance of maintaining transatlantic relations between the US, Canada and Europe, with the US election just a month away.

“I know both candidates very well,” Mr Rutte said. He praised Republican Donald Trump for pushing NATO allies to spend more and take a tougher approach to China. He also praised the “fantastic performance” of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, describing her as a “respected leader”.

“I will be able to work with both, regardless of the outcome of the election,” Mr Rutte said, adding that both candidates “understand that, in the end, the transatlantic relationship is very important, not only for Europe”.

Earlier, his predecessor Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Mr Rutte to NATO headquarters in Brussels (Belgium) for the leadership change. The two men greeted each other warmly, then laid a wreath in memory of the fallen soldiers. Surrounded by the flags of 32 member countries.

"Mark has the perfect profile to be a great Secretary General," an emotional Stoltenberg said as he concluded a decade in office. "He was Prime Minister for 14 years and led four different coalition governments , so he knows how to compromise, how to build consensus, and these are skills that NATO values very much," Stoltenberg said.

Mr Rutte said he “can’t wait to get to work”. Among his other priorities, he said, were increasing defence spending and strengthening the partnerships the alliance has established with other countries around the world , particularly in Asia and the Middle East.

Hoai Phuong (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tan-tong-thu-ky-nato-coi-viec-support-ukraine-la-uu-tien-hang-dau-post314877.html