U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers remarks to Department of Defense personnel, with President Joe. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Feb. 10, 2021. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III participated in his first NATO Defense Ministerial meeting Wednesday, reaffirming President Biden’s message that the United States intends to revitalize its relationship with the Alliance.  Defense Secretary Austin  was pleased with the discussions held as part of the virtual NATO Defense Ministerial, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said. NATO defence ministers met via  teleconference  to address key security issues.  These include the adaptation of the Alliance through the NATO2030 initiative, progress towards fairer burden-sharing, and NATO’s enhanced deterrence and defence. Ministers also met in a separate session with NATO partners Finland, Sweden, and the European Union’s High Representative. 

“Secretary Austin referred to NATO as the bedrock of enduring trans-Atlantic security and said the Alliance serves as the bulwark of our shared values of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law.”

-Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby

Secretary Austin also emphasized that NATO’s most important task is to protect allied populations and territory by presenting a credible deterrence and strong defense.  The U.S. Defense Secretary cited the multiple threats and challenges facing the Alliance including: Destabilizing behavior by Russia, a rising China, terrorism, and global challenges such as COVID-19 and climate change.

 Unique Opportunity to Open  New Chapter in Relations Between Europe and North America: NATO Chief 

Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on first day of the Defence Ministers meetings February 17, 2021. (credit: nato.int)

“This is our first ministerial meeting with the new Biden administration. We have a unique opportunity to open a new chapter in relations between Europe and North America. We face global challenges that no country and no continent can tackle alone. I have put forward a number of ambitious proposals to prepare for our summit. They cover key areas Strengthening our commitment to deterrence and defence, by providing incentives to Allies to contribute more capabilities, and ensure fairer burden sharing. We also need to raise our level of ambition when it comes to resilience, which is our first line of defence. And we must do more to promote transatlantic cooperation on defence innovation. So that NATO keeps its technological edge.”

–NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in post-meeting press conference  

NATO Chief Condemned Iraq  Rocket Attack on U.S. Military Base Killing One Person 

Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after the first day of the Defence Ministers meetings February 17, 2021. (credit: nato.int)

“I condemn the rocket attack in Erbil and the tragic loss of life. I want to express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery go to the injured. The Iraqi people should not have to live in fear of violence. And I welcome that a number of Allies will support the investigation into this attack.”

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg  suggested that Alliance troops may stay in Afghanistan a while longer than  a May 1 deadline for international troops to leave the country.

 “Our presence in Afghanistan is conditions-based. And Taliban has to meet their commitments. And what NATO does now is that we, first of all, do whatever we can to support the peace process and the full implementation of the deal. We will only leave when the time is right. And the focus now is how can we support the peace efforts, the peace talks, and reenergise, relaunch a new strength, a new momentum in the peace talks, because that’s the only path to peace. I think the main issue is that Taliban has to reduce violence, Taliban has to negotiate in good faith, and Taliban has to break all ties, has to stop supporting international terrorist groups like al Qaeda.”  – NATO Secretary General  Stoltenberg