The NATO alliance is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The Federal Chancellor attended the ceremony in the USA and held talks with alliance partners.
Berlin, 9 July 2024: “75 years of NATO are 75 years of security, stability and peace,” said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday before his departure for the NATO Summit.
Washington D.C., 9 July 2024 Federal Chancellor Scholz, his wife Britta Ernst (centre) and Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock (left) landed at Dulles International Airport, where they were formally greeted by American officials.
Federal Chancellor Scholz was joined by numerous heads of state and government at the ceremony marking 75 years of NATO.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg gave a speech to mark the celebratory anniversary. In October Mark Rutte from the Netherlands will take over leadership of the alliance as the new Secretary General.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Federal Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (third from left) also attended the celebrations.
NATO is the most successful defence alliance in history and has guaranteed peace and security in its members’ territory for over 75 years. The transatlantic alliance is very significant to Germany’s safety and security.
Washington, 10 July 2024: During his visit to Washington for the NATO Summit, the Federal Chancellor met the new UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer (r.), for bilateral talks.
“At this NATO anniversary summit we will strengthen our defence and deterrence,” said Federal Chancellor Scholz on the first morning. He stressed Germany’s unique responsibility as the largest country in Europe, and pledged that, “This is something that we – and I personally – acknowledge, for our citizens, for peace and for security.”
Later, Federal Chancellor Scholz met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “It’s vital that we use this meeting to again underscore our common support for Ukraine as its allies,” Scholz said before the meeting.
At midday, US President Joe Biden (l.) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Federal Chancellor Scholz to the NATO Summit in the Washington Convention Center.
After a plenary session and more bilateral meetings, the heads of state and government were invited to the White House.
For the first time the summit was attended by 32 NATO members, after Sweden joined the alliance. This strengthens NATO, security in Europe and peace.
Washington, 11 July 2024: The North Atlantic Council met on Thursday. Alongside NATO heads of state and government, the meeting was attended by partners from the Indo-Pacific region and the European Union.
Following the meeting Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz met French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Ukraine Compact was announced on the second day of the NATO Summit. In it, 22 NATO member states, the EU and Ukraine declare their resolve to ensure that Ukraine can successfully defend its freedom, independence and sovereignty and deter future aggression.
“75 years of NATO means 75 years of guaranteeing security and peace. This is the right time to reposition the alliance for the future and the changed security situation,” said Scholz at a press conference at the conclusion of the NATO Summit.