On Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the new European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, to NATO headquarters for a meeting with Allies in the North Atlantic Council.
The Secretary General emphasized the importance of such exchanges in fostering transparency and political dialogue between NATO and the European Union. He noted that these discussions provide EU leaders the opportunity to hear directly from non-EU Allies. Rutte highlighted the urgent need to ramp up defense production to meet commitments to Ukraine and strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defense capabilities.
Rutte welcomed EU initiatives to enhance European defense readiness and strengthen the defense industrial base. He acknowledged the close integration of transatlantic defense industries and underscored the unique opportunity to shape future cooperation. He expressed hope that Monday’s meeting would mark the beginning of many fruitful exchanges with Commissioner Kubilius and his colleagues.