WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), head of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, issued the following statement about Mark Rutte, the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, as he serves in his new role as the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization:
“Congratulations to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Your leadership will ensure that NATO promotes our shared values of democracy and freedom. Now more than ever, the world needs an engaged and strengthened NATO responding to the threats to peace and stability from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine exemplifies the continuing conflict between authoritarianism and democracy. The U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is eager to work with you to strengthen our transatlantic alliance.
“Thank you to Jens Stoltenberg for your decade of service as the NATO Secretary General. Secretary General Stoltenberg oversaw the enlargement of NATO, including the Alliance’s newest members Finland and Sweden. Secretary General Stoltenberg clearly demonstrated his commitment to the 2014 Wales pledge. During his tenure, over 20 member countries achieved the critical goal of spending at least two percent of their GDP on national defense. We congratulate Mr. Stoltenberg on his new role at the Munich Security Conference.”
Background:
Mark Rutte, the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, assumed his functions as Secretary General of NATO on October 1, 2024.
Jens Stoltenberg, the former Secretary General of NATO and former Prime Minister of Norway, led the Alliance from October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2024.