Full statement
“The alliance is strong and united, and it therefore remains true that NATO is indispensable to our security,” said Federal Chancellor Scholz on Thursday night, at the concluding press conference of the NATO Summit in Washington.
- Transcript of press conference
- Friday, 12 July 2024
Federal Chancellor Scholz at the end of the NATO Summit.
Photo: Federal Government/Steffen Kugler
Further support for Ukraine, deterrence and defence strategies and a deepening of partnerships in the Indo-Pacific were the key issues discussed at this year’s NATO Summit. The heads of state and government of the 32 NATO member states gathered in Washington D.C. for three days to celebrate the alliance’s 75th anniversary and make decisions in some important matters.
“NATO has responded to the change in times and has achieved a good deal, but – and I want to say this very clearly – there is still a lot to do,” said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a press conference at the end of the summit on Thursday. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz went to Washington together with Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Federal Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
The most important points from the Federal Chancellor’s press conference:
- Strengthening NATO’s eastern border: In order to strengthen the eastern border, Germany is going to station a permanent brigade in Lithuania. For next year, the Federal Armed Forces are going to provide 35,000 soldiers at the highest level of readiness of NATO.
- Permanent stationing of American weaponry in Germany: In a joint statement issued on the fringes of the NATO Summit, Germany and the USA decided that US conventional weapons for deterrence and defence would be stationed on German soil once again in future.
- Support for Ukraine: As further support for Ukraine, the NATO partners decided on a package of five weapons systems. Furthermore, new NATO command based in Wiesbaden is to coordinate support for Ukraine in future.
- Strengthening NATO: The alliance aims to step up cooperation between the European Union and NATO. One of the objectives is to promote standardisation.
Documents
Joint statement: See here to read a joint statement about stationing of long-range weapons in Germany issued by the governments of the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany.
Ukraine Compact: See here to read a joint statement about support for Ukraine.
The overview article contains further information and press statements made by the Federal Chancellor about the NATO Summit in Washington D.C.