Stoltenberg considers Rutte a "very strong" candidate

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg positively assesses the likely choice of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as his successor in the bloc.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the NATO press service.

During a conversation with media representatives in Washington on June 18 at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Stoltenberg noted that since he does not choose his successor, he will not make statements about who will become the new NATO Secretary General.

At the same time, he expressed the opinion that the members of the bloc are "close to finalizing" the issue of the next head of the Alliance. This, in particular, was influenced by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's decision to support Rutte's candidacy.

"But after today's statement by Prime Minister Orban, I think it is clear that we are very close to completion in the Alliance when the Allies elect the next Secretary General," Stoltenberg said.

He added that "this is good news"

"I believe that Mark Rutte is a very strong candidate. He has a lot of experience as a prime minister. He is a close friend and colleague, and so I firmly believe that very soon the Alliance will decide on my successor, and that will be good for all of us, for NATO, and for me," Stoltenberg said.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 19/06/2024