NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg held a meeting with Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, in Brussels on Thursday (7 December 2023), where he extended congratulations on the Prime Minister’s recent appointment and expressed gratitude for Luxembourg’s valuable contributions to NATO. Stoltenberg specifically acknowledged Luxembourg’s active participation in NATO’s multinational battlegroup stationed in Romania.
During the meeting, the Secretary General commended Luxembourg for its commitment to increasing defense spending and appreciated Prime Minister Frieden’s dedication to formulating a concrete plan to reach the 2% target by the upcoming Washington Summit. Stoltenberg emphasized the significance of this commitment for equitable burden-sharing across the Atlantic.
Stoltenberg also highlighted Luxembourg’s noteworthy engagement in NATO’s Innovation Fund and its investments in high-end capabilities, including contributions to the next generation of NATO’s AWACS early warning and surveillance aircraft. He described Luxembourg as a leader in NATO’s technological and innovation agenda.
Luxembourg, among the 20 Allies forming a coalition, plays a crucial role in enhancing Ukraine’s air defenses. Stoltenberg emphasized that this collaborative effort aims to protect Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield and the lives of citizens in Ukrainian cities. Additionally, Luxembourg extends support to Ukraine through NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package.
In November, the NATO-Ukraine Council, at the level of Foreign Ministers, convened in Brussels, resulting in an ambitious work program that aims to bring Ukraine closer to NATO. Stoltenberg stressed the importance of sustaining support to help Ukraine navigate the challenging winter ahead and ensure its sovereignty and independence. He concluded by asserting that supporting Ukraine is both the right thing to do and aligns with the collective security interests of NATO member states.
