NATO handover: Mark Rutte calls for stronger partnerships with the European Union
Brussels, 1 October 2024 – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) recently witnessed a major event as it welcomed its new Secretary General, Mark Rutte. Upon taking office, Rutte highlighted the need to strengthen partnerships with the European Union as one of the priorities of his term at the helm of the international military organization.
In a determined speech, Mark Rutte outlined three main areas on which he intends to focus his efforts. In addition to strengthening ties with the EU, the new NATO Secretary General said he would ensure that the organization remains strong and step up support for Ukraine, a country plagued by geopolitical tensions.
Mark Rutte, a 57-year-old prominent Dutch politician, succeeds Jens Stoltenberg, who led NATO for a decade. The handover took place during an official ceremony at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, in the presence of NATO ambassadors gathered within the Atlantic Council.
As NATO finds itself at a crucial moment in its history, with the US presidential elections approaching, Mark Rutte expressed confidence about the future of the alliance, saying he was not worried about the outcome of the November 5 vote. Having worked with Donald Trump in the past, Rutte said he was ready to take on the challenges and maintain NATO’s core mission of defending people, nations and shared values.
Together with Jens Stoltenberg, Mark Rutte expressed his concern about the escalating tensions in Lebanon, stressing the importance of finding solutions to bring peace to this troubled region. This handover marks a turning point for NATO, which is preparing to begin a new chapter in its history under the leadership of the Dutch Prime Minister.
As international challenges remain complex and uncertain, NATO can count on strong and determined leadership to face the challenges ahead and pursue its essential mission of collective defence and the promotion of peace and security in the world.