Secretary General welcomes Israeli President to NATO HQ 26 Jan. 2023 -|

Secretary General welcomes Israeli President to NATO HQ

26 Jan. 2023 -|Last updated: 26 Jan. 2023 16:53

On Thursday (26 January 2023) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Israeli President Isaac Herzog to NATO Headquarters. For the first time, a President of Israel addressed NATO Allies in the North Atlantic Council, demonstrating the deepening partnership between the Alliance and the State of Israel.

Statements by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog

The Secretary General highlighted NATO and Israel’s close and long standing partnership, noting that strengthened cooperation was planned in areas such as climate change, innovation, and new technologies.

Speaking about Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, the Secretary General underlined the help that NATO Allies and partners were providing for Ukraine to uphold its right to self-defence.

Mr Stoltenberg emphasised the growing cooperation between Russia and authoritarian states such as Iran, China and North Korea and noted that it is more important than ever to stand up for freedom and democracy. He said “Iran is delivering military support to Russia. Including drones that are used to attack civilian infrastructure, homes and hospitals in Ukraine. In return, Russia is stepping up its support to Iran.”

The Secretary General also said that NATO will mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January “to remember the unspeakable horror of the millions who suffered and died during World War Two. We will never forget them.”

NATO and Israel have worked together for almost 30 years, cooperating in domains such as science and technology, counter terrorism, civil preparedness, countering weapons of mass destruction and women, peace and security. Over the last year cooperation has grown, with NATO welcoming Israel’s intention to strengthen the naval interoperability by recognising Israel as a partner for NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian, and Israel’s Defence Force military medical academy now serving as a unique asset for NATO’s Partnership Training and Education Centres community.

Statement

by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog

26 Jan. 2023 -|Last updated: 26 Jan. 2023 16:44

(As delivered)

President Herzog,

Dear Isaac,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to NATO Headquarters, and a pleasure to see you again.

This is an historic visit.

Marking the first time that the President of Israel addresses NATO Allies in the North Atlantic Council.

This is a sign of our deepening partnership.

For almost 30 years, NATO and Israel have worked closely together in many different areas.

Including science and technology,

Counter-terrorism,

Civil preparedness,

Countering weapons of mass destruction,

Women, Peace and Security, and many more areas.

Today, I look forward to discussing ways to strengthen our cooperation further.

Including on climate change, innovation, and new technologies.

And also to discuss our support for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian people are bravely defending their homeland.

And NATO Allies and partners are helping to support their right to self-defence, as enshrined in the UN Charter.

To ensure Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation in Europe.

This is also about defending our values.

Iran is delivering support to Russia.

Including drones that are used to attack civilian infrastructure, homes and hospitals in Ukraine.

In return, Russia is stepping up its support to Iran.

And at the same time, stepping up its cooperation with other authoritarian states, such as China and North Korea.  

As we see growing cooperation among authoritarian states,

it is more important than ever to stand up for freedom and democracy.

So President Herzog,

tomorrow we will mark International Holocaust Remembrance day  here at the NATO Headquarters.

To remember the unspeakable horror of the millions who suffered and died during World War Two.

We will never forget them.

Dear Isaac, thank you again for coming. I look forward to our meeting.

And to strengthen further the cooperation between Israel and NATO.