NATO Secretary General joins world leaders for UN General Assembly

In the margins of the Assembly, the Secretary General met with the US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation, Ambassador Khalilzad. They discussed the security situation in Afghanistan and NATO’s support for the peace talks. The Secretary General welcomed Ambassador Khalilzad’s regular briefings to the North Atlantic Council. He stressed that NATO’s focus remains unchanged: to make the Afghan security forces stronger, so that they can fight international terrorism and create the conditions for lasting peace.

On Tuesday, the Secretary General participated in the opening of the UN General Debate. NATO and the United Nations reinforce one another, as organisations committed to tackling security challenges and upholding the international rules-based order. Over the past decade, the two organisations have stepped up cooperation, working closely to support Afghanistan and Iraq. NATO has also contributed to developing UN disposal standards to counter improvised explosive devices, which remain one of the greatest threats to peacekeepers.

Later on Tuesday, the Secretary General met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two leaders discussed NATO’s political and practical support to Ukraine, as well as preparations for the upcoming visit of the North Atlantic Council to Ukraine. Through ten Trust Funds, NATO Allies and partners have pledged more than forty million euros to support Ukraine, in areas such as command and control, cyber defence and medical rehabilitation.

The Secretary General also held separate talks with Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez. The two leaders discussed cooperation between NATO and Colombia in areas of mutual interest, including demining and promoting the role of women in peace and security. Colombia is NATO’s only partner in Latin America.

Meeting with OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, Mr. Stoltenberg welcomed cooperation between NATO and the OSCE, including the establishment of the NATO Liaison Office in Vienna. The two leaders also exchanged views on the security situation in Ukraine and Georgia, as well as efforts to modernise the Vienna Document on military transparency.

The Secretary General also met with Mr. Hashim Thaci of Kosovo. He stressed NATO’s commitment to security and stability in the Western Balkans, noting that KFOR would continue its mission to preserve a safe and secure environment in Kosovo.

Meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the Secretary General welcomed the partnership between the Alliance and Yerevan. He also thanked the Prime Minister for Armenia’s strong contributions to NATO’s training mission in Afghanistan and peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. The two leaders also discussed regional security issues.