Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers, 14 February 2019.
Good afternoon.
We have just finished the last working session of the Defence Ministerial meeting.
Together with High Representative / Vice President Federica Mogherini and our Finnish and Swedish colleagues we discussed and addressed NATO-EU cooperation and EU initiatives on defence.
Allies welcomed the European Union’s focus on defence, and on increasing cooperation among its members.
We also agree that we need to ensure that EU efforts complement NATO.
This is particularly important when it comes to investing more money in our defence; developing new capabilities; improving military mobility in Europe; and ensuring the fullest possible involvement of non-EU Allies.
Earlier today we had a meeting dedicated to NATO missions and operations.
The situation in Afghanistan remains difficult. But we also see ongoing peace process.
Our Resolute Support Mission continues to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces, as they fight terrorism and create the conditions for peace.
US envoy Ambassador Khalilzad has kept Allies closely updated of his efforts for a peace settlement. We fully support those efforts. We continue to consult on the implications of a possible peace deal.
We are in this mission together. And we will take decisions regarding the future of the mission together. And of course, our military commanders are constantly assessing our posture, as they do for any NATO mission.
We also addressed our new training mission in Iraq. Which is now up and running.
Providing training and advice to national security institutions. Our support is important to help Iraq prevent the resurgence of ISIS or other terrorist groups.
We also discussed our KFOR mission in Kosovo. NATO is firmly committed to stability in the Western Balkans.
This year, we mark 20 years since the launch of KFOR. And our mission remains unchanged, based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
We are there to keep a safe and secure environment for all the people in Kosovo.
And that is what we are doing.
At the same time, following the decision to transition the Kosovo Security Force into an army, we are now reviewing NATO’s level of engagement with the KSF.
That discussion is ongoing.
And we expect to make decisions on the way forward later this spring.
This morning, Allies and the Ukrainian defence minister Stepan Poltorak discussed the security situation in and around Ukraine, including the Sea of Azov.
At this informal breakfast, hosted by UK Defence Minister Gavin Williamson,
Allies expressed strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. And called on Russia to immediately release the Ukrainian sailors and ships seized in November.
Allies also encouraged Ukraine to continue on the path of reform, including implementing the Venice Commission’s recommendations on the education law.
At this ministerial, we took important decisions. As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Alliance this year, NATO is as determined as ever to keep our people safe in a more unpredictable world.
We look forward to our meeting of Allied Foreign Ministers in Washington in April.
And to the meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in London in December.
And with that, I’m ready to take your questions.
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