At the forthcoming summit, Secretary General Stoltenberg announced that decisions would be made to enhance deterrence and defense measures, including the agreement on a new Defense Investment Pledge. The Pledge would set a minimum target of 2% of GDP to be allocated to defense. Additionally, NATO aims to strengthen partnerships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the meeting, the primary focus was on NATO's efforts to bring Ukraine closer to the alliance. Secretary General Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of Ukraine's alignment with NATO, stating that the organization is actively working on a comprehensive, multi-year support package for Ukraine, which will be backed by substantial funding.
In discussions, Foreign Ministers also explored the possibility of upgrading the existing NATO-Ukraine Commission to a new NATO-Ukraine Council. This upgrade would establish a joint consultative forum where Ukraine can participate as an equal member, contributing to crucial security discussions.
Secretary General Stoltenberg reiterated that NATO's door remains open to potential members, including Ukraine, but emphasized that decisions regarding membership are ultimately the prerogative of the Allies and Ukraine themselves. He emphasized the need to establish robust arrangements to guarantee Ukraine's security and halt Russia's cycle of aggression once the ongoing conflict concludes, acknowledging the uncertain timeline for its resolution.
Highlighting ongoing efforts to expand NATO, Secretary General Stoltenberg revealed his commitment to facilitating Sweden's accession to the alliance. He expressed his intent to visit Turkey in the near future and welcomed the implementation of Sweden's new anti-terrorism laws, indicating that the country's swift accession would contribute to the overall security of the Alliance.
As the meeting concluded, Secretary General Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of the decisions made during the gathering, recognizing the need for continuous collaboration among NATO members to address emerging security challenges effectively. (ILKHA)