NATO Secretary General Statement On US Defense Review – Transcript

By NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

I welcome the announcement by President Obama of the US Defence Strategic Review. The announcement follows consultation with Allies.

I appreciate the United States’ enduring commitment to European security, to preserving the strength and solidarity of our Alliance and to upholding our collective defence. In an unpredictable world, the United States’ affirmation that our transatlantic partnership remains indispensable to the security of all Allies is key. As President Obama said, the US will continue investing in NATO because the Alliance has demonstrated time and time again – most recently in Libya – that it is a force multiplier.

The review emphasises the importance of modern capabilities, greater flexibility and effective partnerships. This is fully consistent with the Strategic Concept which we adopted at the Lisbon Summit. And it embodies the principle of Smart Defence, which I expect to be established as a guiding principle for NATO at our summit in Chicago in May.