70th Anniversary of NATO: Stoltenberg Addresses US Congress

WASHINGTON, (Patria) – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg marked the 70th anniversary of the organization by addressing the US Congress, Patria reports. 

'NATO has been good for Europe, but it has also been good for the United States,' Stoltenberg stated, receiving a large round of applause.

He emphasized that NATO does not want a new Cold War, but that it 'must not be naive' regarding relations with Russia.

NATO was founded with the aim of defending against the then-Soviet Union, and the question of the Alliance's purpose is often raised given that the threat of communism no longer exists.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused NATO member states of not taking their fair share of defense responsibilities, the BBC writes.

'President Trump's message is clear and has a real effect,' Stoltenberg referred to Trump's remark in his address to Congress.

The Secretary General stressed that NATO 'has no intention of mobilizing nuclear weapons in Europe,' but that it would 'always take the necessary steps to respond effectively'.

He called NATO 'the most enduring and successful alliance in history'.

Members of Congress welcomed Stoltenberg's speech with a long round of applause, thereby confirming the United States' commitment to NATO, Patria reports.