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“Russia is modernizing its nuclear arsenal and deploying new missiles. It is deploying more forces to us, from the Upper North to Syria and Libya. We also see an increase in Russia’s activity due to the crises in Belarus and Nagorno-Karabakh,” Stoltenberg said. at a press conference in Brussels on the eve of the NATO ministerial meeting.
According to him, the ministers will discuss what the Alliance still needs to do to respond to Russia’s growing military activities and support the arms control regime, including nuclear, at the end of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) in February. .
Stoltenberg added that a separate discussion on security in the Black Sea region will be held with the participation of the Foreign Ministers of Sacartwell and Ukraine.
According to the NATO leader, one of the most important issues that the Alliance will discuss during the virtual meetings, which will last until Wednesday, will be “a global shift in the balance of power related to China’s growth.”
Asia Pacific Partners: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan, as well as the Foreign Ministers of Finland and Sweden and the EU Head of Diplomacy, Josep Borrell, will join NATO in this discussion.
“China is not our opponent,” Stoltenberg said. He noted that the growth of this country is an important opportunity for the Western economy and trade, and called for cooperation with China on issues such as arms control and climate change.
“But there are also major challenges to our security. China is investing heavily in new weapons. It brings us closer from the Arctic to Africa and invests in our infrastructure. China is not guided by our values. It does not respect fundamental human rights and tries to intimidate people. other countries, ”said the leader.
The ministers will also discuss NATO’s mission in Afghanistan, Stoltenberg said, faced with a difficult dilemma after the United States and the Taliban reached a peace agreement that stipulates that foreign forces must withdraw from the country by May 1.
“It just came to our knowledge then. Or we stay there because we understand that the Taliban are not fulfilling their part of the agreement and the commitments they have made. But then we run the risk of a military presence and continuous confrontations,” said the Secretary General. .
“It just came to our notice then. But then we risk losing our achievements in the fight against international terrorism and the situation we have created, when Afghanistan should no longer become a bridgehead for international terrorism,” continued J Stoltenberg.
“This decision will be very difficult,” he stressed, adding that a final decision on the matter could be made in February.
The head of the Alliance recalled that Washington had recently decided to further reduce its troops in Afghanistan and said that he had spoken by phone with the president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden, about the importance of the Afghanistan problem and the aforementioned dilemma.
Stoltenberg expressed hope that next year, when the new US administration is sworn in, the decision will be made with her.
The permanent representative of the United States to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison, also said Monday that Washington’s decision to reduce the contingent in Afghanistan is not final, as the new American administration will have the opportunity to reconsider it.
“When another administration starts work in January, it will have every opportunity [pakeisti savo sprendimą dėl Afganistano]”He said during a short press conference.
During the next session, NATO Foreign Ministers also plan to discuss the Alliance’s vision for the future and further adaptation of the organization.
As Stoltenberg explained, the Alliance will seek ways to better prepare for new global challenges. The group of experts it appointed earlier this year to work on this project will report back to ministers of its findings.
The Secretary General has promised to continue “consulting with civil society, young leaders, parliamentarians, the private sector and, of course, the Allies” on NATO adaptation.
“With all of this in mind, I will make my recommendations to NATO leaders at their meeting next year,” Stoltenberg said.
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