- Title: NATO's Stoltenberg is sure Trump is committed to collective defence
- Date: 24th November 2016
- Summary: OXFORD, ENGLAND, UK (NOVEMBER 24, 2016) (REUTERS) NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL, JENS STOLTENBERG, GREETED BY OXFORD STUDENT UNION PRESIDENT AND WALKING TO PODIUM VARIOUS OF STOLTENBERG SPEAKING AUDIENCE LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL, JENS STOLTENBERG, SAYING: "The important thing is that I am absolutely certain that the United States will continue to be committed to NATO and to our collective defence and to U.S. security guarantees to Europe." VARIOUS OF STOLTENBERG SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL, JENS STOLTENBERG, SAYING: "I am certain that will continue to be the case, not only because President-elect Donald trump stated clearly that he supports NATO and the obligations we all have made being members of the alliance; but I also strongly believe it because a strong NATO is not only good for Europe… it's obviously good for us because that is the cornerstone of our security, but it is also good for the United States." VARIOUS OF STOLTENBERG SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL, JENS STOLTENBERG, SAYING: "To speak to Russia, to talk to Russia, to have dialogue with Russia is absolutely in line with NATO policies and NATO decisions, so that's nothing we should be concerned of." STOLTENBERG SPEAKING AUDIENCE LISTENING STOLTENBERG GETTING UP AND LEAVING ROOM / AUDIENCE APPLAUDING
- Embargoed: 9th December 2016 17:44
- Keywords: Oxford Union Jens Stoltenberg NATO Donald Trump UK Russia
- Location: OXFORD, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: OXFORD, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00159T2ATJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday (November 24) that President-elect Donald Trump will continue U.S. support for NATO.
Speaking at the Oxford University Union in western England, Stoltenberg said he had received guarantees from Trump during a phone call last week.
"I am certain that will continue to be the case, not only because President-elect Donald trump stated clearly that he supports NATO and the obligations we all have made being members of the alliance," said Stoltenberg.
He added that a strong NATO benefits America as well as Europe.
During Trump's presidential campaign, he expressed that his support for the organisation and defence of a fellow member nation in the event of an attack was conditional, which goes against NATO's central tenet.
Trump's campaign promise to improve U.S. relations with Russia and President Putin has made NATO nervous, but Stoltenberg said he had no problems with other member states speaking with Russia.
"To speak to Russia, to talk to Russia, to have dialogue with Russia is absolutely in line with NATO policies and NATO decisions, so that's nothing we should be concerned of," said the NATO chief. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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