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Shkruar nga PamfletiMark Rutte is the new Secretary General of NATO. After ten years in office, Jens Stoltenberg handed over the post to the former Dutch Prime Minister during a ceremony at the headquarters of the Alliance in Brussels.
Rutte, 57, was chosen earlier this summer by the governments of the 32 member countries of the transatlantic defense alliance for the post. He will hold it for at least four years. His term can then be renewed.
"Mark has the perfect background to become a great Secretary General," Stoltenberg said. Rutte was prime minister for 14 years and led four different coalition governments, so he knows how to compromise and build consensus. And these are skills that are highly valued in NATO.
Rutte said he was looking forward to starting work. His priority is to maintain NATO support for Ukraine, increase defense spending and strengthen partnerships between the military alliance and countries in other regions of the world, particularly in Asia and the Middle East.
After taking office, Rutte said that "we will continue to bring Ukraine closer to NATO". "Ukraine's right to self-defense does not end at the border."
Regarding China, Rutte said that "China has become a decisive catalyst in Russia's war in Ukraine." He warned that China "cannot continue to fuel Europe's biggest conflict since World War II without affecting its own interests and reputation."
A time of many crises – and a change of power in the US
The transfer of power from Stoltenberg to Rutte comes at a time of many crises. The war of Russian aggression in Ukraine is taking place on the borders of the defense alliance.
A particularly important challenge for the Dutchman may come from the United States: in the event of a possible victory of former US President Donald Trump against Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in early November, NATO's cohesion is at stake: the ability of the United States to fully meet the aid commitment under his leadership. Trump even threatened at one point to withdraw the US
Rutte has a reputation for getting along with Trump
Rutte has been considered Trump's go-to person since meeting with him in 2019. Trump said then that he and Rutte had become friends. He called the relationship between the Netherlands and the US better than ever.
Rutte said shortly before taking office in Brussels that he could work with both Harris and Trump, "regardless of the outcome of the election."
The Secretary General must make compromises
The Secretary General of NATO must create compromises between member states. He can also make proposals for action, so he plays a decisive role, especially in times of crisis or conflict. He is also the Chief of Staff and heads the NATO Headquarters as chief administrator. All these functions make him a key figure in security policy.
NATO is the main security policy alliance in the world. It unites the security interests of Europe and North America. Today NATO has 32 member countries which together pursue their security and defense objectives. In the event of an attack, the countries have pledged to support each other./DW
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