BRUSSELS (AP) – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)appointed Mark Rutte as its next secretary-general yesterday, putting the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister in charge of the world’s biggest security organisation.
Rutte’s appointment was sealed by NATO ambassadors during a meeting at the 32-nation alliance’s headquarters in Brussels. United States (US) President Joe Biden and his counterparts will formally welcome him to their table at a summit in Washington on July 9-11. The outgoing Dutch premier will take over from the current secretary-general, Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg on October 1. Stoltenberg spent more than a decade at the helm. His mandate was repeatedly extended.
“I warmly welcome NATO allies’ choice of Mark Rutte as my successor,” Stoltenberg said.
“Mark is a true trans-Atlanticist, a strong leader, and a consensus-builder. I wish him every success as we continue to strengthen NATO for the challenges of today and tomorrow. I know I am leaving NATO in good hands,” he added. Secretaries general chair meetings and guide often delicate consultations among member countries to ensure the organisation, which operates on consensus, can function smoothly. The NATO leader also ensures decisions are put into action and speaks on behalf of all members.
Several obstacles had stood in Rutte’s way of security the post, even though he had the backing of the White House and most other big member countries including Germany.
He emerged as the sole candidate after Romanian President Klaus Iohannis withdrew last week.
