Opening remarks

Prime Minister, thank you for a very constructive meeting. It is indeed a great pleasure to be in Slovakia as you mark ten years since your accession to NATO.

Slovakia is playing a valuable role in our Alliance: from building security in Afghanistan to strengthening our military capabilities through projects such as the Allied Ground Surveillance reconnaissance drones.

We meet at a critical time for the Euro-Atlantic area.

Russia’s illegal and illegitimate aggression against Ukraine undermines the very principles on which our security and prosperity have been built since the end of the Cold War: that every nation is free to make its own choices. And that European nations do not use force against one another in the 21st century.

NATO’s core task is clear: to defend and protect our Allies. We have already taken immediate measures: we have more planes in the air, more ships at sea and more exercises on the ground. And we will continue to do what is necessary.

NATO is based on solidarity: all for one, and one for all. So NATO keeps every Ally safe. And every Ally is expected to play its full part in contributing to our shared security.

The crisis in Ukraine shows that defence matters. And that we have to invest more in defence to preserve our security. I've discussed this with the Prime Minister and I know this is not easy, but it is essential as we prepare for our NATO Summit in September.

Defence comes at a cost but insecurity is much more expensive.