On 1 October, Mark Rutte took office as the new Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) at a ceremony in Brussels.
The former Dutch Prime Minister takes over from Jens Stoltenberg after the end of his ten-year tenure at the helm of the Alliance.
“A strong transatlantic bond is the foundation of our Alliance, and I will do my utmost to ensure that it will stay rock solid. Our priorities are to make sure that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent and democratic nation; to increase our collective defence; and to build on NATO’s partnerships around the globe. One thing will not change, and that is NATO’s core mission: to make sure we defend our people, our nations and our values," said Rutte.
Rutte was confirmed as Stoltenberg’s successor in June by the North Atlantic Council after he received support by all 32 NATO allies.
Representing ALDE Party member VVD in the Netherlands, Rutte has presided over four Dutch governments since being originally appointed as Prime Minister in 2010, leaving his post earlier this year.
“Mark has the perfect background to become a great Secretary General. He knows how to make compromises and create consensus, and these are skills that are very much values here at NATO. NATO will be in safe hands with Mark at the helm,” said Stoltenberg.