When NATO last met here in the UK in 1990, many would have hoped that its core aim would soon have been fulfilled. After the long years of the Cold War, the vision of a Europe whole, free and at peace seemed within our grasp. Yet today the protection and security that NATO provides is as vital to ou

Thank you so much, Anders, thank you for the kind introduction.It is really a great honour to be elected as the next Secretary General of NATO, this unique Alliance. And I will do my utmost to live up to that honour and to follow the great example which you, Anders, have set over the past five years