The North Atlantic Council, which includes NATO ambassadors, Tuesday announced the extension of the mandate of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg by a further year, until Oct. 1, 2024. The decision will be endorsed by NATO Heads of State and Government at the Vilnius Summit, said the Council in a statement. The 31 members thanked the NATO chief "for his leadership and commitment, which has been critical to preserving transatlantic unity in the face of unprecedented security challenges." On his part Stoltenberg, 64, said: "I am honored by the decision of NATO Allies to extend my term as Secretary General. "The transAtlantic bond between Europe and North America has ensured our freedom and security for nearly seventy-five years, and in a more dangerous world, our great Alliance is more important than ever." His tenure was already extended for a year shortly after Russia's military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime minister, became NATO Secretary General in October 2014. NATO, with this decision, is seeking to stick with an experienced leader to lead the military alliance, amid Russia's raging war in Ukraine. US President Joe Biden said in a statement that Stoltenberg's "steady leadership, experience and judgement" has helped the alliance wade through some of the most "significant challenges in European security since World War II". British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the news, saying "NATO has evolved to meet new threats, continued to protect our people and has been steadfast in support of Ukraine." Meanwhile, Ukraine, which hopes to join the alliance, said the Norwegian's support has been important. "Excellent news ... Tough times demand strong leadership. Jens Stoltenberg has demonstrated just that. I look forward to furthering our cooperation," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter. His next tasks include overseeing the transformation of NATO forces to refocus on defending against any possible Russian attack, and concentrating on missions beyond its borders, such as in Afghanistan, the Balkans and the South China Sea. — Agencies
