At the beginning of October, Jens Stoltenberg handed over the office of NATO Secretary General to Mark Rutte. Now he says goodbye to Berlin. He hears many words of praise – and is awarded a high medal.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier thanked the recently replaced NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for his ten years of work at the head of the alliance and awarded him a high level of the Federal Cross of Merit. “You have ensured that NATO is stronger and more united than ever before – at a time when Russia is threatening us again,” said Steinmeier at a ceremony in Berlin. He attested to Stoltenberg’s “extraordinary leadership strength” and emphasized: “You have shaped the alliance through your integrity, your clear political analysis and your personal commitment.”
Steinmeier awarded Stoltenberg, who left office at the beginning of October, the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic. “Your services to the security of Germany and NATO are historic,” he said.
Stoltenberg thanked Germany for its support of the alliance and called it an “anchor of stability.” He pointed to the “turning point” proclaimed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) after Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the increased defense spending.
Big coup for Stoltenberg
In the evening, Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) wants to honor and say goodbye to the former NATO Secretary General with a big tattoo. “As a champion of the transatlantic idea, he led the alliance with foresight and drive during his term in office,” it said on the ministry’s website. In addition to his clear stance on supporting Ukraine, Stoltenberg also sharpened NATO’s role as a defense alliance. Since 2014, and even more so since 2022, collective defense has been given greater importance.
“Jens Stoltenberg played a key role in shaping this substantive change during his ten-year term in office and thus made a significant contribution to Germany’s security,” said the ministry.
Stoltenberg handed over the office of NATO Secretary General to the former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on October 1st after ten years. He will now be the new head of the Munich Security Conference (MSC).
Source: Stern
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