(VOVWORLD) -Leaders of NATO’s 32 member countries gathered in Washington DC on Tuesday for the 75th anniversary summit and to make important decisions for the future.
 US President Joe Biden delivers opening speech at NATO summit in Washington DC. (Photo: Reuters) |
In his welcoming speech, US President Joe Biden praised the strength of the military alliance, considering it the most successful military bloc in history and the solid security guarantee for member states.
NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the establishment of NATO 75 years ago was a milestone for Europe when it changed the entire regional security structure after World War II. He called on member countries to revive NATO starting spirit.
“NATO enlargement unified Europe in a way that was previously unthinkable. Paved the way for EU integration and brought peace and prosperity across the continent. Allies showed them clarity and determination then, as we must continue to do now,” said Stoltenberg.
Also high on the agenda at this summit will be Ukraine issues, including NATO increasing military assistance to Ukraine in the current conflict and providing a more detailed roadmap on the possibility of admitting Ukraine as a future member of this bloc.
On the same day, the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Italy reached an agreement to provide more air defense systems to Ukraine.
NATO heads of state will also discuss strategies to expand the bloc's security partnerships in other parts of the world, especially in the Indo-Pacific region as leaders of Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand were invited to the summit.