Diksia.com - BRUSSELS, The North Atlantic Defense Organization (NATO) has extended Jens Stoltenberg’s contract as Secretary-General for another year.
NATO chose the experienced Jens Stoltenberg rather than replace him with a new one while the war in Ukraine was still raging.
According to Channel News Asia’s website on Wednesday (07/05/2023), Stoltenberg is the former Prime Minister of Norway who has been the leader of NATO since 2014.
His term of office was even extended three times.
The decision signifies continuity at the helm of NATO as its 31 members grapple with the challenge of assisting Ukraine in repelling Russian aggression while avoiding direct conflict between NATO and Russian forces.
Stoltenberg, 64, is widely regarded across the Alliance as a mature leader and patient consensus builder.
The decision to extend his term to October 1, 2024 comes ahead of a summit of NATO leaders next week in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Stoltenberg was happy with the decision.
“The transatlantic bond between Europe and North America has guaranteed our freedom and security for nearly 75 years, and in a more dangerous world, our alliance is more important than ever,” Stoltenberg said.
The President of the United States (US) Joe Biden and the heads of state and government of other NATO countries also praised the decision.
“Through leadership, experience and sound judgment, Secretary General Stoltenberg has guided our Alliance through the greatest challenge to European security since World War II,” Biden said in a statement.
A White House statement said Biden spoke with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday to discuss preparations for the Vilnius summit.
“They discussed various issues that will be discussed by leaders at the summit, including ways to further strengthen the alliance,” the White House statement said.
Diplomats and analysts give Stoltenberg high marks for keeping NATO united in support of Ukraine.
Stoltenberg is also said to be able to strike a balance in NATO between those who want maximum support for Ukraine and those who urge more caution out of fear of sparking a global conflict.
