According to diplomats, the 31 NATO countries have agreed on an extended term for Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The Norwegian will hold the position for another year, so until September 2024, AFP news agency learned on Thursday from representatives of various member states in Brussels.
The decision will be officially announced next week. This means that Stoltenberg will likely still be secretary general at NATO’s anniversary summit in Washington in July 2024, where the transatlantic military alliance celebrates its 75th anniversary. The 64-year-old Norwegian has been secretary-general for almost nine years.
The US administration has recently testified to Stoltenberg’s “impressive leadership” in its stance on Russia’s offensive war against Ukraine. On Thursday, Stoltenberg discussed further aid for the country with EU heads of state and government.
The US ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, declined to confirm the staffing decision for the time being. “In the coming days” a statement is planned, she said in Brussels.
Extension has become clear
The extension of Stoltenberg’s term had already become clear. The main reason is that the European NATO countries cannot agree on a successor to Stoltenberg. The Secretary General usually comes from Europe, while the US provides the Supreme Commander of the Alliance.
Source: Krone
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