Opinion: Press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde, 2022-Jan.
Minister Haavisto,
Dear Pekka,
Minister Linde,
Dear Ann,
Welcome to NATO Headquarters.
It’s great to see you both again.
Finland and Sweden are NATO’s closest partners.
We share the same values.
And we face the same challenges, in the Baltic Sea region and beyond.
Our forces have trained and exercised together for many years.
We continue to share information and situational awareness.
And both Finland and Sweden have contributed to NATO missions and operations, from the Western Balkans to Iraq.
The deteriorating security situation in Europe makes NATO’s cooperation with Finland and Sweden even more important.
Today we discussed Russia’s continued military build-up in and around Ukraine.
The risk of conflict is still real.
And we continue to call on Russia to de-escalate and choose the path of diplomacy.
NATO is a defensive alliance that does not threaten Russia or any other country.
But we will always do what is necessary to protect and defend all our allies.
And I welcome the fact that the Allies are taking the step.
For example, Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and will deploy more jets to Lithuania as part of our air policing mission in the Baltic Sea.
France has expressed its readiness to send troops to Romania under NATO command.
The Netherlands sends fighter jets to Bulgaria for air policing and puts units on standby for NATO’s response force.
Spain is sending ships to join NATO’s naval forces in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean and is considering sending jets to Bulgaria.
And for the first time in decades, the United States put an attack group under NATO command.
We are considering further strengthening our presence in the eastern part of the alliance. This may include the deployment of additional NATO battle groups.
These placements are proportionate and in line with our international commitments.
And they strengthen European security for all of us.
At the same time, NATO is still ready to continue the dialogue with Russia.
Following the NATO-Russia Council earlier this month, I have now invited all members to a series of further meetings.
Addressing European security, including the situation in and around Ukraine.
NATO-Russia relations, and how to reduce risks and increase transparency.
And weapons control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
So NATO allies are ready to engage in genuine dialogue and to seek constructive results.
And we will continue to consult with our key partners Finland and Sweden as we take this dialogue forward.
But let me be clear: NATO will not compromise on fundamental principles.
We stand for each nation’s right to choose its own alliances.
And NATO’s door remains open.
While NATO works closely with Finland and Sweden, we fully respect your strong and independent security policy.
Only Finland and Sweden will decide your path.
Not Russia.
Not anyone else.
Sovereign nations have the right to self-determination.
NATO will always respect that.
Others must respect that as well.
Dear Pekka,
Dear Ann,
Once again, welcome to both of you.
Thank you once again for Finland’s and Sweden’s deep friendship and partnership with NATO.
Our collaboration makes us all safer and more secure.