NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Commends Greece for Vital Contribution to Collective Defense

On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens to address pressing security challenges, bolster support for Ukraine, and recognize Greece’s pivotal contribution to NATO’s collective defense strategy.

Mr. Rutte praised Greece for allocating 3 percent of its GDP to defense, highlighting the nation’s long-standing commitment to security. He also lauded Greece for its “highly skilled military and increasingly advanced capabilities” and its initiatives for further modernization.

Expressing gratitude for Greece’s support of Ukraine against Russian aggression, Mr. Rutte noted that just last month, Athens secured a bilateral security agreement with Kyiv. Additionally, Greece has committed to expediting F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots and technicians, thereby “strengthening their hand in this brutal war.” The Secretary General emphasized, “Our support for Ukraine has kept them in the fight, but we need to go further to change the trajectory of this conflict.”

Mr. Rutte highlighted the use of North Korean weapons and troops, Iranian drones, and Chinese dual-use goods by Russia, warning that these actions have led to an “increasingly dangerous” security environment, posing a significant “challenge to global peace and security.”

During his visit, the Secretary General also engaged with Greece’s Minister of National Defence Nikolaos Dendias and Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis.

Source: pagenews.gr