UPDATE - Allies agree to extend term of NATO chief Stoltenberg till October 2024

UPDATES WITH REACTIONS FROM NATO MEMBER STATES, CHANGES HEADLINE, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – The NATO allies have agreed to extend the term of Jens Stoltenberg as the secretary general until October 2024, the alliance's chief said on Tuesday.

Stoltenberg, who said he was honored by the decision, wrote on Twitter: “The transatlantic bond between Europe & North America has ensured our freedom & security for nearly 75 years, and in a more dangerous world, our Alliance is more important than ever.”

Since 2014, Norwegian politician Stoltenberg, 63, has been serving as the alliance's 13th general secretary.

The decision came amid a reported lack of agreement over a possible successor to Stoltenberg, as well as many allies wanting to keep a steady hand at NATO's helm as Russia's war on Ukraine nears the 18-month mark, posing a continued challenge to the alliance.

"The mandate of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has been extended three times, and he has served for a total of almost nine years," NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said in February, when Stoltenberg was due to step down this October but has resisted yet another extension of his term.

- NATO member states congratulate Stoltenberg on term extension

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised Stoltenberg's contributions to the alliance.

"Under Jens Stoltenberg's leadership, NATO has evolved to meet new threats, continued to protect our people, and has been steadfast in support of Ukraine," he said on Twitter.

Likewise, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock congratulated Stoltenberg on his extension in office.

"You can count on Germany, as we continue to rally support for Ukraine," she said.

Also congratulating Stoltenberg was Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who said he is "looking forward to continuing to work together for further consolidating the Alliance."

Hungarian President Katalin Novak hailed the move as "an important step in order to keep the Alliance in a steady hand during the war."

She added: "As a defense alliance, NATO must strive to create the conditions for a just peace."

The Estonian Foreign Ministry also congratulated Stoltenberg on his new term as NATO chief.