Allies have 'historic opportunity' to strengthen alliance: NATO chief

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) - NATO foreign ministers had a “very good discussion” in preparation for its leaders’ summit, the head of the military alliance said Tuesday.

“All allies agree that we now have an historic opportunity to strengthen the transatlantic bond and to do more together,” Jens Stoltenberg told reporters following the virtual meeting.

He explained that the NATO 2030 agenda at the June 14 leaders' summit is aimed at preparing the alliance for a “new era of growing global competition” with more and more unpredictable challenges.

The NATO 2030 strategy will extend the concept of security by tackling challenges of climate change and focusing on resilience and technological development.

“I'm confident that by the summit we will set an ambitious agenda for NATO 2030,” said Stoltenberg.

Asked about the disagreement between allies on NATO spending, he said, “there is no contradiction between national defense efforts and NATO [commitments].”

“NATO is the cornerstone for the security and defense for all NATO allies, and spending together is a force multiplier and an efficient way of spending,” he said, adding that the budget “sends a very clear message to our own populations and any potential adversaries.”