Brussels, 9 December 2021(TDI): Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General, participated at the 50th Anniversary of the former German Chancellor Willy Brandt being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, discussion on Peace policy in our time organised by the Friedrich- Ebert- Stiftung on the 8th of December 2021.
The Secretary-General was joined in the discussion by the Chair of the Friedrich- Ebert- Stiftung, Martin Schulz, the Secretary-General of the OSCE, Helga Schmid, and the Director of the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy.
The Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg enlightened that how Willy Brandt inspired him and generations of political leaders. Jens Stoltenberg highlighted the contribution to security policy by Willy Brandt. Willy Brandt taught the most important lesson regarding the approach to the Soviet Union, which needed strong deterrence and defence, combined with political dialogue.
Jens Stoltenberg said, “That’s exactly what NATO does today, we have what we call the dual-track approach to Russia; deterrence, defence, but also dialogue. And there’s no contradiction, as Willy Brandt pointed out, between being firm in our approach to our neighbour in the East, at the same time engaging in dialogue.”
Addressing Russia’s current military expansion in and around Ukraine, the Secretary-General said, “We call on Russia to de-escalate, to withdraw, to reduce tensions, and to be transparent about their intentions.”
The Secretary-General also highlighted the matter, “One of the most important documents that actually came out of Ostpolitik was the Helsinki Final Act, that all countries in Europe subscribed to, including the Soviet Union, and today Russia, which states very clearly that every independent nation, every nation may choose its own path, including what kind of security arrangements it wants to be a part of.”
There’s no contradiction between being firm & engaging in dialogue with #Russia, said #NATO SG @jensstoltenberg at @FESonline‘s event “Peace policy in our time”, marking the 50th anniversary of former 🇩🇪 Chancellor Willy Brandt winning #NobelPeacePrize.https://t.co/ZqdGXFoCCC pic.twitter.com/1JfOs1r7sZ
— Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) December 8, 2021
We thank SG @jensstoltenberg for sharing his ideas with us, yesterday. #WillyBrandt #Brandt2021 https://t.co/I79k5ekozt
— FES online (@FESonline) December 9, 2021
We thank SG @jensstoltenberg for sharing his ideas with us, yesterday. #WillyBrandt #Brandt2021 https://t.co/I79k5ekozt
— FES online (@FESonline) December 9, 2021
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated it is a matter of repentance that for 18 months it has not been possible to convene a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council because Russia has rejected an invitation to meet and stressed that the invitation stands.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany:
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock also took part in the 50th Anniversary of the former German Chancellor Willy Brandt discussion on Peace policy in our time on the 8th of December 2021.
She said that NATO remained an indispensable pillar for the security in Europe and we would like to develop and strengthen the transatlantic alliance in the political field.
“The Russian troop development near Ukraine must concern us. With a view to Ukraine itself, but also with a view of our security in Europe. Last week in Riga NATO set and sent a coherent message. And I want to underline firmly the new government fully maintains this commitment”.
She also said, “But I also want to say the tensions show how necessary would be to revive the NATO- Russian Council, and we are ready to do so”.
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