Opening remarks
by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the joint press point with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte
It is a great pleasure to be back in The Hague.
The Netherlands was one of NATO’s founding members 65 years ago. And over the years, you continue to be a staunch Ally.
Dutch forces have shown great courage and determination in Afghanistan. Last year, you completed your training mission in Kunduz province, helping Afghan forces take the lead for security nation-wide. Dutch navy vessels have successfully helped to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. Dutch Patriot missile batteries continue to play a vital role in helping to protect our Ally Turkey. And I am grateful for the extension of their mandate, a strong sign of NATO solidarity.
On multinational defence cooperation, you lead by example - taking part in 17 of our multinational Smart Defence projects. You are pursuing innovative ways to get the most out of the euros we spend on defence. Including by working closely with your Benelux partners and Germany. And you are making an important contribution to our missile defence system by upgrading your air defence frigates.
These contributions are all the more appreciated as they come in times of budget cuts. But as our economies start to recover, we need to keep our defences strong. Because the collective security provided by NATO forms the very bedrock of our democracy and our prosperity.
At a time of global and unpredictable challenges, our Summit in Wales in September will demonstrate the value of our unique Alliance, which brings together the world's strongest alliance of democracies, from Europe and North America. It will show that our bond is strong, and that our Alliance continues to adapt, reform and look outwards to stay fit for the future.
So we have a busy year ahead. And I know I can count on your support to make our Summit a success.