Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Wednesday made public his call with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
“It’s been a busy first week of calls with foreign leaders, and yesterday I spoke with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. I reiterated my strong commitment to NATO and to working together to tackle the shared challenges we face,” Biden wrote on Facebook.
In the brief conversation posted on Facebook, President Biden said he was “totally committed to NATO.”
“I strongly, strongly, strongly support our collective defense based on mutual democratic values. I want to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Article 5. It’s a sacred commitment. And I intend to consult with you and our allies on all our plans.” President Biden said.
President Biden added: “I also want to thank you for your leadership and personal diplomacy over the past several years. You’ve been invaluable.”
Stoltenberg said NATO welcomes President Biden’s strong message in rebuilding alliances.
“I think we should use this momentum also to make sure that we continue to deliver on defense spending, fair burden sharing, and as long as we stand together, we’re able to deliver security and preserve peace,” Stoltenberg said in the phone conversation.
He said was looking forward to working with President Biden and to welcoming him to the NATO summit in Brussels later this year.
“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The President thanked the Secretary General for his steadfast leadership of the Alliance, and conveyed his intention to consult and work with allies on the full range of shared security concerns , including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Russia,” the White House said on Tuesday before the president made the call public on Wednesday.
It added: “President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty and underscored his commitment to strengthening transatlantic security. The President also emphasized the importance of shared values, consultation, and capabilities to strengthen deterrence and counter new and emerging threats, including climate change and global health security.”