NATO Secretary General in London to prepare Leaders’ Meeting

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed preparations for the next meeting of NATO leaders with Prime Minister Theresa May in a visit to 10 Downing Street on Tuesday (14 May 2019). The meeting in London in December will be an opportunity for Allied Heads of State and Government to address NATO’s continued adaptation to deal with the security challenges the Alliance faces. The Secretary General and the Prime Minister also had talks about the current security situation, including Russia’s continued breach of the INF treaty, and burden-sharing within the Alliance.

“The United Kingdom makes essential contributions to our shared security,” said Mr. Stoltenberg. He thanked the UK for its major contributions to NATO missions and deployments, including in the Baltic region, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr. Stoltenberg also praised the UK for leading by example by spending 2 % of GDP on defence and investing in new military capabilities. The Secretary General and the Prime Minister further discussed prospects for peace in Afghanistan, and highlighted the importance of training local forces in partner countries in the fight against terrorism.

During his visit to London, Mr. Stoltenberg also met with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Earlier, the Secretary General participated in a panel at the annual meeting of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council. Addressing an audience of international business leaders in London, Mr. Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of the transatlantic bond and why NATO remains a pillar of stability in a more unpredictable world.