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Stoltenberg: "It is in national security interest of United States to have strong Nato"

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General

15 February 2024 22:17 (UTC +04:00)

"When you look at the opinion polls, there is record high support for Nato," speaking to reporters after the Nato defence ministers’ meeting, Jens Stoltenberg said, APA reports citing The Guardian.

"We are 31 democratic nations on both sides of the Atlantic. And as long as this alliance has existed, there have been different views and discussions.

When you look at the opinion polls, there is record high support for Nato," noted Stoltenberg.

"I’m confident,” Stoltenberg said, “that Nato will remain the strongest and most successful alliance in history.”

He also said:

"I expect the United States to continue to be a staunch ally, for at least three reasons:

First, it is in the national security interest of the United States to have a strong Nato.

Second, there is actually broad bipartisan support for Nato in the United States.

And thirdly, the criticism in the United States is not primarily against Nato, it’s against Nato allies not spending enough money on Nato.

And then actually we have a very good story to tell. Because for many years, it was a valid point and a fair case to raise from the US side that European allies and Canada did not spend enough.

But things have really changed, with increased defence spending across Canada and Europe."