Rutte takes office: First priority is to keep NATO strong

(Patria) - Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte officially took over as NATO Secretary General from Jens Stoltenberg today.

Rutte was the favorite of key powers such as the USA, Great Britain, France, and Germany.

In his first address, he said it was a great honor to be in this position. He also stated that there is a lot of work ahead of him and that Stoltenberg is an example of a Secretary General.

"I am committed to preparing NATO for future challenges. The first priority is to keep NATO strong. For this, we need greater capabilities, which requires greater investment. The second is support for Ukraine and bringing Ukraine into NATO. There is no security without this.

We must do our part, Ukraine's place is in NATO. The third priority is strengthening partnerships, with EU member states and around the world," said Rutte, thanking all NATO member states for their support.

Stoltenberg also addressed the audience before him.

"Over the past decade, we have achieved great goals, undergone transformation, strengthened defense, increased troop numbers, our member family has grown, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Sweden, and Finland have become members, Ukraine is close," Stoltenberg said in his farewell speech.

During his more than ten years at the helm of NATO, Stoltenberg was praised for his calm leadership of a sometimes divided Alliance.