WEBVTT 00:05.020 --> 00:09.520 - [Oana] And the first question goes to Nick Fiorenza, 00:09.520 --> 00:11.833 from Jane's Defense, in London. 00:14.940 --> 00:18.333 - [Nick] Hello, my question is actually related, 00:19.444 --> 00:20.323 hmm, an echo here, 00:22.045 --> 00:25.833 and I mean it's, how do you expect the COVID virus 00:29.440 --> 00:31.993 to affect allie's aim to reach 00:37.070 --> 00:39.410 the two percent of GDP spending? 00:39.410 --> 00:40.243 And also, 00:42.880 --> 00:44.543 can, excuse me. 00:45.570 --> 00:49.850 Your the increased defense spending, 00:49.850 --> 00:52.250 I think you were predicting that 00:52.250 --> 00:56.767 400 billion more dollars be spent by the mid 20's. 01:04.070 --> 01:06.530 - It is clear that there will be 01:06.530 --> 01:11.090 severe economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis, 01:11.090 --> 01:13.710 and at least in the short term, 01:13.710 --> 01:16.390 there will also be severe consequences, 01:16.390 --> 01:18.610 not only for the total economy, 01:18.610 --> 01:22.063 but also for government budgets. 01:23.280 --> 01:26.000 When we speak about the long term consequences, 01:26.000 --> 01:29.500 that is too early to say anything 01:29.500 --> 01:30.960 with certainty about what the 01:31.830 --> 01:34.233 long term consequences will be. 01:35.431 --> 01:37.600 We have to remember that when NATO allies 01:37.600 --> 01:40.440 decided to invest more in defense, 01:40.440 --> 01:45.440 they did so because we live in a more uncertain, 01:45.800 --> 01:48.360 more unpredictable world, 01:48.360 --> 01:51.460 and therefore we need to invest more in defense. 01:51.460 --> 01:54.350 This has not changed, so I expect allies to 01:54.350 --> 01:58.340 stay committed to investing more in our security, 01:58.340 --> 02:01.950 and we also have to remember that by 02:01.950 --> 02:03.500 investing more in our security, 02:05.000 --> 02:06.500 and in our armed forces, 02:06.500 --> 02:11.500 we're also providing surge capacity for 02:12.480 --> 02:16.860 all our societies to deal with unforeseen events, 02:16.860 --> 02:21.860 crisis, natural disasters, as we, for instance, see now, 02:22.660 --> 02:26.160 because we see that in many NATO allied countries, 02:26.160 --> 02:29.580 the armed forces are actually providing support 02:29.580 --> 02:34.550 to the civilian society with logistics, 02:34.550 --> 02:39.550 with military hospitals, military medical capabilities, 02:41.320 --> 02:44.060 providing support to the civilian society, 02:44.060 --> 02:46.270 dealing with the corona crisis. 02:46.270 --> 02:48.580 We have seen examples of military personnel 02:49.590 --> 02:54.590 being responsible for the disinfection of public places 02:55.089 --> 02:59.670 and also helping to control the borders. 02:59.670 --> 03:03.707 So, by investing in our military, 03:05.890 --> 03:09.500 we also provide a capacity which has proven 03:09.500 --> 03:12.780 useful in supporting the civil society, 03:12.780 --> 03:16.483 dealing with crisis like the corona crisis. 03:17.840 --> 03:20.080 The 400 billion reflects the fact that 03:21.240 --> 03:22.650 NATO allies already have 03:22.650 --> 03:25.193 increased defense spending significantly, 03:27.100 --> 03:30.890 and it is based on the national plans 03:30.890 --> 03:33.280 the allies have submitted to NATO, 03:33.280 --> 03:36.400 and as I said, I expect them to stay committed, 03:36.400 --> 03:38.060 knowing that they are faced 03:38.060 --> 03:39.900 with a very difficult situation, 03:39.900 --> 03:44.000 including with the, at least short term, 03:44.000 --> 03:49.000 severe economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis. 03:49.100 --> 03:51.490 - [Oana] Thank you, the next question on Skype 03:51.490 --> 03:54.960 comes from Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 03:54.960 --> 03:56.403 speaking from Brussels. 03:57.510 --> 03:58.960 - Hello, Hello from Brussels. 04:02.780 --> 04:04.293 Mister Secretary General, 04:06.465 --> 04:07.763 sorry, I'm getting an echo. 04:09.270 --> 04:11.260 Belgium has advised against 04:11.260 --> 04:13.020 gathering in large groups. 04:13.020 --> 04:14.970 The White House says people shouldn't 04:14.970 --> 04:16.963 gather in groups of more than 10. 04:18.020 --> 04:19.660 I just heard you talk about measures 04:19.660 --> 04:22.860 that NATO is taking to protect itself 04:22.860 --> 04:25.377 against the threat of coronavirus, 04:25.377 --> 04:27.190 but I still have a question. 04:27.190 --> 04:30.050 You know, why are NATO's senior leadership 04:30.050 --> 04:33.029 and ambassadors holding meetings 04:33.029 --> 04:35.715 in groups of 150 people in the same room, 04:35.715 --> 04:38.820 while people are doing some social distancing? 04:38.820 --> 04:40.760 What plan do have if you all 04:40.760 --> 04:43.403 are exposed to coronavirus, 04:43.403 --> 04:47.420 have to self quarantine, or, worse, be hospitalized, 04:47.420 --> 04:49.080 and why are you still planning to hold 04:49.080 --> 04:52.483 a meeting of foreign ministers in April, 04:52.483 --> 04:54.380 when the E.U. and others are holding 04:54.380 --> 04:56.230 video conferences instead, thank you. 04:57.580 --> 05:00.120 - So we started to implement measures 05:01.040 --> 05:02.120 already in January, 05:02.120 --> 05:04.200 when we got the first reports about 05:04.200 --> 05:05.810 the spread of the coronavirus, 05:05.810 --> 05:10.190 and we have gradually stepped up those measures, 05:10.190 --> 05:13.620 and now we have reduced significantly 05:13.620 --> 05:16.683 the number of people working in these headquarters, 05:20.136 --> 05:21.620 and hardly any visitors are 05:21.620 --> 05:23.200 coming to the building anymore, 05:23.200 --> 05:26.800 and we have also reduced, dramatically, 05:26.800 --> 05:29.070 the number of meetings. 05:29.070 --> 05:31.130 At the same time, we think it is important 05:31.130 --> 05:34.850 that NATO can deliver on our core responsibility, 05:34.850 --> 05:37.810 to make sure that we deliver 05:37.810 --> 05:40.240 credible deterrence and defense every day, 05:40.240 --> 05:43.080 and that our forces stay ready, 05:43.080 --> 05:46.810 and that we are able to act if needed, 05:46.810 --> 05:49.310 and that's the reason why NATO continues to work 05:49.310 --> 05:54.310 and NATO continues to deliver on our core responsibilities. 05:56.200 --> 05:59.500 We will, of course, constantly assess whether 05:59.500 --> 06:02.260 we should implement further measures. 06:02.260 --> 06:06.880 We have, you know, checks, medical checks on everyone 06:06.880 --> 06:09.740 that enters this building. 06:09.740 --> 06:12.660 We are conveying a clear message 06:12.660 --> 06:15.300 about the importance of social distancing, 06:15.300 --> 06:18.080 and other measures, according, 06:18.080 --> 06:19.410 or in line with the recommendations 06:19.410 --> 06:21.690 from the World Health Organization. 06:21.690 --> 06:23.680 So we started early, 06:23.680 --> 06:26.320 and we have a dedicated task force, 06:26.320 --> 06:29.310 dealing with handling the consequences 06:29.310 --> 06:31.000 of the coronavirus crisis, 06:31.000 --> 06:34.600 and we will monitor and are ready to step up 06:34.600 --> 06:37.020 our measures if needed. 06:37.020 --> 06:41.900 When it comes to meetings in the future, 06:41.900 --> 06:43.900 we have not made any final decisions 06:43.900 --> 06:48.900 on how to organize or how to convene those meetings, 06:49.640 --> 06:51.830 but we will make sure that we are responsible 06:51.830 --> 06:56.120 in the way we conduct meetings, 06:56.120 --> 06:58.560 also in the future, and that includes, 06:58.560 --> 07:00.410 of course, also ministerial meetings. 07:01.460 --> 07:02.390 - [Oana] Thank you very much. 07:02.390 --> 07:06.880 We now go to Julian Barnes from The New York Times, 07:06.880 --> 07:09.753 who's calling from Washington D.C. 07:11.320 --> 07:12.410 - Thanks for the question. 07:12.410 --> 07:15.770 I wanted to ask about Afghanistan. 07:15.770 --> 07:20.770 I want to ask, the Taliban's continued violence, 07:21.890 --> 07:25.560 the political questions of leadership 07:25.560 --> 07:27.820 in the outbreak of the coronavirus, 07:27.820 --> 07:30.437 is going to impact the draw down, 07:30.437 --> 07:34.250 and if it's impacting NATO operations there, 07:34.250 --> 07:35.350 from your perspective? 07:36.242 --> 07:38.960 - So We have no reported cases of coronavirus 07:38.960 --> 07:42.003 among the personnel we have in Afghanistan, 07:43.454 --> 07:45.880 and we continue to implement the decision 07:46.800 --> 07:51.150 to reduce the number of NATO personnel in Afghanistan. 07:51.150 --> 07:52.850 At the same time, we will make sure that we 07:52.850 --> 07:55.760 do that in a way which is responsible, 07:55.760 --> 07:59.670 and which protects the health and the safety 07:59.670 --> 08:04.500 of our personnel, which is always our top priority, 08:04.500 --> 08:06.670 but I believe it's absolutely possible 08:06.670 --> 08:08.870 to continue the draw down, 08:08.870 --> 08:12.270 but do that in a responsible way, 08:12.270 --> 08:15.940 and we had General Wolters, 08:15.940 --> 08:18.860 Supreme Allied Commander Europe in NATO yesterday, 08:18.860 --> 08:21.170 and he updated us on the 08:21.170 --> 08:22.690 different NATO missions and operations, 08:22.690 --> 08:24.620 including the mission in Afghanistan 08:24.620 --> 08:27.740 and the ongoing draw down. 08:27.740 --> 08:29.750 We are going to reduce the number of troops, 08:29.750 --> 08:31.490 NATO troops in the NATO Train, 08:31.490 --> 08:32.950 Assist and Advise Mission 08:32.950 --> 08:37.950 from around 16,000 soldiers, personnel, 08:39.595 --> 08:42.077 to around 12,000. 08:43.020 --> 08:46.520 With that level of troops in the mission, 08:46.520 --> 08:48.980 we will be able to maintain 08:48.980 --> 08:51.870 the mission as it is today, 08:51.870 --> 08:53.220 meaning the same structure 08:53.220 --> 08:55.340 and continue to provide training, 08:55.340 --> 08:59.150 assistance and advice to the Afghan security forces. 08:59.150 --> 09:00.470 It actually brings us roughly back 09:00.470 --> 09:02.050 to the same level we had in the 09:02.050 --> 09:04.770 NATO Training Mission before we started 09:04.770 --> 09:08.940 to increase the number of troops, 09:08.940 --> 09:12.023 personnel, in the mission in 2016. 09:14.210 --> 09:19.210 We, of course, call on the Taliban, 09:19.970 --> 09:22.150 and we have stated again and again that 09:23.230 --> 09:28.230 our reduction in Afghanistan is conditions based, 09:29.247 --> 09:31.970 and we call on the Taliban to 09:32.810 --> 09:35.010 live up to their part of the agreement. 09:35.010 --> 09:37.540 We will stay committed to Afghanistan. 09:37.540 --> 09:39.730 We will continue to train, assist and advise 09:39.730 --> 09:42.500 the Afghan security forces and also provide funding, 09:42.500 --> 09:45.730 because it is important that Taliban understands 09:45.730 --> 09:47.940 that they will never win on the battlefield. 09:47.940 --> 09:49.470 They have to make real compromises 09:49.470 --> 09:50.863 on the negotiating table, 09:51.910 --> 09:54.490 and perhaps the most important element, 09:54.490 --> 09:55.980 or at least one of the most important elements 09:55.980 --> 09:57.620 of the agreement between the 09:57.620 --> 10:01.100 Taliban and the United States 10:01.100 --> 10:05.010 is the agreement to initiate intra Afghan dialogue, 10:05.010 --> 10:07.320 intra Afghan negotiations, 10:07.320 --> 10:09.230 because we need an Afghan led 10:09.230 --> 10:13.340 and Afghan owned political process to find a lasting, 10:13.340 --> 10:15.130 peaceful solution to Afghanistan. 10:15.130 --> 10:16.590 The last thing I say about Afghanistan 10:16.590 --> 10:18.780 is that the situation in Afghanistan 10:18.780 --> 10:22.310 is difficult and there are many challenges, 10:22.310 --> 10:25.363 and of course, we also see political challenges, 10:26.570 --> 10:29.763 which those who are part of the political, 10:30.720 --> 10:33.730 how should I say, environment in Afghanistan 10:33.730 --> 10:37.260 should address in a way that reduces tensions, 10:37.260 --> 10:38.560 and make sure that they can engage 10:38.560 --> 10:42.220 in real political negotiations, 10:42.220 --> 10:45.200 or in real political negotiations with the Taliban, 10:45.200 --> 10:47.210 but we believe that the only way forward 10:47.210 --> 10:50.110 is through a peaceful negotiated solution, 10:50.110 --> 10:51.620 and NATO's best contribution to that 10:51.620 --> 10:53.870 is to stay committed and continue to 10:53.870 --> 10:56.700 provide support to the Afghan security forces. 10:56.700 --> 10:57.670 - [Oana] Thank you very much. 10:57.670 --> 11:02.670 We now go to Lailuma Sadid from Afghanistan Voice, 11:03.380 --> 11:06.453 who's calling us by Skype from Brussels. 11:10.780 --> 11:12.290 - Thank you very much, Secretary General. 11:12.290 --> 11:14.110 I would like to ask, 11:14.110 --> 11:15.930 are you concerned about the 11:15.930 --> 11:18.940 current political crisis in Afghanistan, 11:18.940 --> 11:22.100 and do you think it's going to lead to violence, 11:22.100 --> 11:24.000 and second, when are you going to 11:24.840 --> 11:27.733 take out your troops from Afghanistan, 11:27.733 --> 11:29.650 and do you have a plan? 11:32.820 --> 11:35.860 - We are, of course, concerned about the 11:35.860 --> 11:40.850 political turmoil we see in Afghanistan today. 11:40.850 --> 11:43.900 I was in Kabul a couple of weeks ago 11:43.900 --> 11:47.230 when the deal was signed, 11:47.230 --> 11:49.680 and we had the announcement of the 11:49.680 --> 11:53.700 deal between Taliban and the United States, 11:53.700 --> 11:58.010 and of course, to make sure that that deal is implemented, 11:58.010 --> 12:00.600 we need a united Afghan government 12:00.600 --> 12:05.600 that can be part of a political negotiating process, 12:07.570 --> 12:09.620 and that can make sure that 12:09.620 --> 12:14.620 we have an Afghan led and Afghan owned peace process. 12:14.690 --> 12:19.690 So, we urge all political forces in Afghanistan 12:21.870 --> 12:25.030 to find a solution, an inclusive solution, 12:25.030 --> 12:28.030 and to make sure that we are able, 12:28.030 --> 12:30.470 or that they are able to implement 12:30.470 --> 12:34.570 the agreement with Taliban. 12:34.570 --> 12:36.260 I'm afraid I didn't hear 12:36.260 --> 12:37.210 the rest of your question, 12:37.210 --> 12:39.610 but if that was about when we are going to leave, 12:39.610 --> 12:42.950 well so, the plan is to, 12:42.950 --> 12:44.160 this is not about leaving, 12:44.160 --> 12:46.490 this is about reducing our presence, 12:46.490 --> 12:51.160 and the plan is to go from roughly 12:51.160 --> 12:55.980 16,000 to around 12,000 within 135 days, 12:57.200 --> 12:59.640 and we are implementing that plan 13:00.950 --> 13:02.550 in line with the U.S. reduction. 13:02.550 --> 13:06.100 NATO allies are also reducing their forces, 13:06.100 --> 13:08.290 but as I said, with 12,000 troops 13:08.290 --> 13:10.340 in the NATO Mission in Afghanistan, 13:10.340 --> 13:13.410 we will be able to continue to provide support, 13:13.410 --> 13:17.070 training and maintain the same structure 13:17.070 --> 13:20.100 of the Training Mission as today, 13:20.100 --> 13:22.583 with also presence outside Kabul, 13:23.687 --> 13:24.920 and again, we believe that the best way 13:24.920 --> 13:27.800 for NATO to support the peace process 13:27.800 --> 13:30.220 is to make sure that Taliban understands 13:30.220 --> 13:31.720 that they will not win on the battlefield. 13:31.720 --> 13:34.800 They have to not only make compromises 13:36.640 --> 13:37.720 at the negotiating table, 13:37.720 --> 13:40.010 but have to implement and live up to 13:40.010 --> 13:43.693 their commitments they make in the different deals. 13:44.660 --> 13:45.560 - [Oana] Thank you very much. 13:45.560 --> 13:50.293 We'll now go to Fredrik Holst from NTB, please. 13:52.120 --> 13:53.120 - Thank you, I'd like go to back 13:53.120 --> 13:55.003 to the survey briefly, if I may. 13:56.350 --> 13:59.350 So, while 81 percent view collaboration 13:59.350 --> 14:01.230 across the Atlantic as important, 14:01.230 --> 14:04.500 only 64 percent, which is less than two thirds, 14:04.500 --> 14:05.770 say they would vote for membership, 14:05.770 --> 14:08.020 in some countries, only half of them, 14:08.020 --> 14:09.730 and how do you reconcile those numbers? 14:09.730 --> 14:12.540 What can, what can you and NATO do to 14:12.540 --> 14:13.870 convince more people that 14:13.870 --> 14:15.900 being a member is what they need, 14:15.900 --> 14:17.950 Especially about roughly one in six 14:17.950 --> 14:19.077 who believe in cooperation 14:19.077 --> 14:21.797 who don't think NATO is the answer? 14:24.700 --> 14:27.210 - First of all, I think these numbers 14:27.210 --> 14:29.490 reflect a very strong support for NATO, 14:29.490 --> 14:31.330 regardless of how you ask the question. 14:31.330 --> 14:33.640 There is always strong support for NATO. 14:33.640 --> 14:35.160 Whether it's about they trust NATO, 14:35.160 --> 14:36.670 they believe that NATO reduces 14:36.670 --> 14:38.480 the risks for being attacked, 14:38.480 --> 14:41.299 or whether they will vote for NATO, 14:41.299 --> 14:44.620 or whether they will be willing 14:44.620 --> 14:49.330 to be part of a military operation supporting, 14:49.330 --> 14:50.760 helping another country. 14:50.760 --> 14:55.730 So, it's a strong support to the idea of NATO, 14:55.730 --> 14:57.560 one for all, all for one, 14:57.560 --> 15:01.430 and strong support for the idea 15:01.430 --> 15:05.050 that by standing together, we are all safer. 15:05.050 --> 15:06.830 Of course, it varies a bit 15:06.830 --> 15:08.549 between different countries, 15:08.549 --> 15:11.520 and it's not a hundred percent in all countries. 15:11.520 --> 15:13.400 That will be very strange if that was the case, 15:13.400 --> 15:17.690 because we are 29 different allies 15:18.590 --> 15:20.130 with different political parties, 15:20.130 --> 15:23.550 with different political history and geography, 15:23.550 --> 15:27.300 and therefore also the support for NATO varies, 15:27.300 --> 15:31.260 but the main message is strong support for NATO, 15:31.260 --> 15:33.283 regardless of how you ask the question. 15:34.490 --> 15:35.677 Then I think that we have to understand 15:35.677 --> 15:38.440 that when you say that it's only two thirds 15:40.006 --> 15:43.000 that will vote in favor of staying in NATO, 15:43.000 --> 15:45.100 that's actually a very strong number, 15:45.100 --> 15:48.930 because that's two thirds of the whole population. 15:48.930 --> 15:51.940 You have compare the 64 percent that will 15:51.940 --> 15:53.870 vote in favor of staying in NATO 15:53.870 --> 15:57.190 to the nine percent that will vote against, 15:57.190 --> 16:00.330 and if you then exclude those 16:01.377 --> 16:04.360 who don't have an opinion, 16:04.360 --> 16:08.930 then you actually, extreme high support for NATO, 16:08.930 --> 16:10.740 and I think it's roughly up to 16:10.740 --> 16:13.490 90 percent or something, in a real referendum. 16:13.490 --> 16:16.130 So the reality is that 64 percent 16:16.130 --> 16:17.920 out of the total population 16:17.920 --> 16:19.630 is a very strong support, 16:19.630 --> 16:21.030 and has to be compared with 16:21.030 --> 16:23.273 nine percent voting against. 16:25.070 --> 16:26.080 - [Oana] Thank you. 16:26.080 --> 16:28.500 we'll now go to Teri Schultz 16:28.500 --> 16:30.653 from NPR Deutsche Welle. 16:32.200 --> 16:33.454 - Hi Sec Gen. 16:33.454 --> 16:37.730 (Skype call drowns out speech) 16:37.730 --> 16:40.670 I would like to ask the fact that 16:40.670 --> 16:43.053 Defender 20 was canceled, 16:43.930 --> 16:46.700 or at least being curtailed, 16:46.700 --> 16:50.190 and speak about the fact that there's 16:50.190 --> 16:52.820 already a lot of worry about readiness, 16:52.820 --> 16:54.900 about military mobility, 16:54.900 --> 16:58.570 and now the largest that would have tested this, 16:58.570 --> 17:02.590 help figure out where the big problems are, 17:02.590 --> 17:04.910 is not to be, and at the same time, 17:04.910 --> 17:08.510 could you also address the fact that 17:08.510 --> 17:10.070 the European Union 17:10.070 --> 17:13.367 considering next seven-year budget 17:13.367 --> 17:18.367 has zeroed the military budget, 17:18.610 --> 17:21.770 and that seemed to be working quite well, 17:21.770 --> 17:25.400 as NATO E.U. cooperative fields, 17:25.400 --> 17:27.613 and that doesn't seem to be important, 17:28.640 --> 17:29.663 anymore, thanks. 17:31.500 --> 17:33.830 - First on the exercise. 17:33.830 --> 17:37.560 Well, as I said, we have adapted some exercises, 17:37.560 --> 17:39.330 modified some exercises and also 17:39.330 --> 17:41.193 canceled some exercises. 17:42.120 --> 17:44.013 Defender 20, that's actually an exercise 17:44.013 --> 17:47.380 that was not canceled, but it was modified, 17:47.380 --> 17:49.220 meaning that the full exercise 17:49.220 --> 17:51.470 was not implemented as planned, 17:51.470 --> 17:55.290 but we saw and the SACEUR also 17:55.290 --> 17:59.270 briefed the NATO Council yesterday on, 17:59.270 --> 18:03.510 we saw how that exercise actually demonstrated 18:03.510 --> 18:07.490 how the U.S. exercised the capability 18:07.490 --> 18:10.500 of moving equipment across the Atlantic, 18:10.500 --> 18:13.650 thousands of different pieces of equipment, 18:13.650 --> 18:17.840 and also exercising many U.S. troops in Europe. 18:17.840 --> 18:20.670 So, yes, it was a bit smaller than planned, 18:20.670 --> 18:23.320 but at the same time, the exercise demonstrated 18:23.320 --> 18:26.460 the U.S. commitment to European defense, 18:26.460 --> 18:28.210 and the ability of moving forces, 18:28.210 --> 18:33.200 and moving them around in Europe, 18:33.200 --> 18:34.230 but the reality is, of course, 18:34.230 --> 18:37.670 that the corona crisis has implications 18:37.670 --> 18:40.623 also for our exercises, 18:42.270 --> 18:44.710 but what we know is that 18:44.710 --> 18:47.670 despite the fact that we have modified some exercises, 18:47.670 --> 18:51.860 and this has not undermined NATO's ability 18:51.860 --> 18:53.023 to act if needed. 18:53.940 --> 18:56.980 Our forces are ready, NATO is working, 18:56.980 --> 19:00.120 and if needed, we are able to react. 19:00.120 --> 19:03.720 So, our operational readiness is intact, 19:03.720 --> 19:05.790 is there, despite the fact that 19:05.790 --> 19:09.340 we have modified some exercises. 19:09.340 --> 19:11.730 On military mobility, 19:11.730 --> 19:15.150 I think it's a bit early to comment 19:15.150 --> 19:17.210 on the E.U. budget, until we have seen 19:17.210 --> 19:19.610 a final agreement on the budget, 19:19.610 --> 19:20.880 but I would like to highlight that 19:20.880 --> 19:25.023 military mobility is partly about regulations, 19:27.180 --> 19:29.230 which has to be in place to 19:29.230 --> 19:31.410 make it easy to move forces, if needed, 19:31.410 --> 19:34.670 in times of crisis, but it's also about, 19:34.670 --> 19:36.400 not only about E.U. investments, 19:36.400 --> 19:39.750 but also national investments in infrastructure, 19:39.750 --> 19:42.680 and I'm confident that E.U. members understand 19:42.680 --> 19:45.440 the importance of investing in infrastructure 19:45.440 --> 19:48.690 in a way that also enables military mobility, 19:48.690 --> 19:51.380 because most of the, 19:51.380 --> 19:53.580 more than 90 percent of the people living in the E.U., 19:53.580 --> 19:54.980 they live in a NATO country. 19:55.819 --> 19:58.830 So this is also about protecting E.U. members, 19:58.830 --> 20:02.830 it's also very much about protecting NATO members. 20:02.830 --> 20:05.940 On top of that, we have also NATO financed 20:05.940 --> 20:08.680 investments in military infrastructure, 20:08.680 --> 20:12.620 airfields, harbors and other types of infrastructure. 20:12.620 --> 20:15.240 So investing in infrastructure, 20:15.240 --> 20:16.740 military mobility, is something which is 20:16.740 --> 20:18.703 not only dependent on E.U. budgets, 20:18.703 --> 20:22.000 it's also NATO budgets and national budgets. 20:22.000 --> 20:23.310 - [Oana] Thank you. 20:23.310 --> 20:27.533 The next question on Skype comes from 20:27.533 --> 20:31.660 Gjeraqina Tuhina from RFE RL, Gjeragina. 20:31.660 --> 20:33.500 - Yes, Secretary General, 20:33.500 --> 20:37.990 has NATO HQ had any kind of indication 20:37.990 --> 20:40.750 or information about the possible withdrawal 20:40.750 --> 20:43.240 of U.S. troops from KFOR in Kosovo? 20:46.300 --> 20:49.050 - NATO stands committed to our 20:49.050 --> 20:52.230 KFOR mission in Kosovo. 20:52.230 --> 20:54.410 It has a clear U.N. mandate, 20:54.410 --> 20:58.180 and it helps to create a safe and secure environment 20:58.180 --> 21:03.047 for all people living in Kosovo. 21:05.540 --> 21:08.650 At the same time, we strongly support 21:09.824 --> 21:13.290 the resumption of the Pristina Belgrade dialogue. 21:13.290 --> 21:15.645 We are calling for restraint 21:15.645 --> 21:20.645 and calm to address the tensions we see in Kosovo, 21:24.830 --> 21:29.790 and we, and I have also expressed many times 21:29.790 --> 21:33.520 that the hundred percent tariffs, 21:33.520 --> 21:34.560 the very high tariffs, 21:34.560 --> 21:37.730 which Kosovo imposed on goods from Serbia, 21:37.730 --> 21:40.793 are, or is not helpful. 21:44.187 --> 21:48.610 So, we support all efforts to try 21:48.610 --> 21:53.330 to start again the Pristina Belgrade dialogue, 21:53.330 --> 21:55.803 because that's the only way towards 21:55.803 --> 22:00.803 a lasting solution for the conflict in the region, 22:02.400 --> 22:04.200 and then, I would also like to add that 22:04.200 --> 22:07.280 NATO is also playing a key role in addressing, 22:07.280 --> 22:09.410 for instance, the issues related to 22:09.410 --> 22:12.453 air traffic and the lower airspace over Kosovo, 22:13.336 --> 22:14.780 and we have seen some steps forward 22:14.780 --> 22:17.450 in that process lately and we continue 22:17.450 --> 22:20.380 to work hard to try to find a way to normalize 22:20.380 --> 22:23.790 the airspace over Kosovo as part of 22:23.790 --> 22:27.380 the efforts to normalize the situation in the region. 22:27.380 --> 22:28.990 - [Oana] Thank you very much. 22:28.990 --> 22:31.290 We have the next question from 22:31.290 --> 22:33.960 Damon Wake from Agence France Press. 22:52.219 --> 22:55.886 - Hello, sorry, I lost the connection there. 22:57.580 --> 23:01.767 I want to ask about the upcoming Foreign Ministerial. 23:03.140 --> 23:04.640 Is the plan for this still to 23:04.640 --> 23:05.840 go ahead with ministers, 23:10.920 --> 23:12.863 And on the, 23:15.240 --> 23:18.293 corona, coronavirus budget issue. 23:21.810 --> 23:24.280 Is it the case that there will be 23:26.027 --> 23:29.579 any flexibility around the two percent targets. 23:29.579 --> 23:33.162 (Skype call drowns speech) 23:36.770 --> 23:38.470 - I'm sorry, I wasn't able to hear 23:39.520 --> 23:42.340 all the, or everything you said, 23:42.340 --> 23:45.140 but I think I got the main question. 23:45.140 --> 23:47.386 The first was about the Foreign Ministerial, 23:47.386 --> 23:49.133 and the second was about defense spending. 23:50.100 --> 23:52.610 First, on the Foreign Ministerial. 23:52.610 --> 23:54.850 We are not, the plan is to have 23:54.850 --> 23:57.560 a foreign ministerial meeting early April, 23:57.560 --> 23:59.640 but we have not made any final decision 23:59.640 --> 24:02.900 on how to conduct that meeting, 24:02.900 --> 24:04.910 because, of course, we have to take into account 24:04.910 --> 24:07.870 that the coronavirus has consequences 24:07.870 --> 24:09.740 for traveling and for the possibility 24:09.740 --> 24:13.690 of gathering many people in the same room. 24:13.690 --> 24:16.510 So we are now assessing whether 24:16.510 --> 24:19.300 we will organize that as a physical meeting, 24:19.300 --> 24:21.680 as we normally do, or whether we will find 24:21.680 --> 24:23.680 other ways to conduct the meeting. 24:23.680 --> 24:27.910 No final decision has been made today, 24:27.910 --> 24:29.533 or at this moment, 24:32.320 --> 24:33.550 and let me just add a more 24:33.550 --> 24:35.070 general reflection on that. 24:35.070 --> 24:36.210 The balance for NATO, 24:36.210 --> 24:37.640 and for many other institutions, 24:37.640 --> 24:40.010 critical institutions, is that we need 24:40.010 --> 24:43.130 to find a balance between protecting our staffs, 24:43.130 --> 24:48.130 our people, help to prevent the spread of the virus, 24:48.460 --> 24:50.180 but at the same time, making sure that 24:50.180 --> 24:53.780 NATO is functioning in a critical time, 24:53.780 --> 24:56.800 where we have more uncertainties 24:56.800 --> 24:58.060 and more challenges than we have seen 24:58.060 --> 25:00.010 for many, many years. 25:00.010 --> 25:02.550 So, for us, it is a question of finding 25:02.550 --> 25:06.373 the right way to balance those two considerations, 25:07.780 --> 25:09.000 implementing measures to 25:09.000 --> 25:10.070 prevent the spread of the virus, 25:10.070 --> 25:12.960 but at the same time, making sure that NATO 25:12.960 --> 25:15.070 is delivering our core responsibility, 25:15.070 --> 25:16.830 credible deterrence and defense 25:16.830 --> 25:19.230 also in difficult times. 25:19.230 --> 25:20.663 On defense spending, 25:22.225 --> 25:24.040 what we know is that the coronavirus crisis 25:24.040 --> 25:26.440 will have severe economic consequences, 25:26.440 --> 25:28.810 at least on the short term. 25:28.810 --> 25:30.780 It will also have consequences 25:30.780 --> 25:35.780 and significant consequences for government budgets. 25:38.482 --> 25:40.070 Having said that, I also know that 25:40.070 --> 25:45.070 NATO allies all agreed to invest more in our security, 25:45.760 --> 25:47.320 because they see that we live 25:47.320 --> 25:49.170 in a more uncertain world, 25:49.170 --> 25:51.270 with new threats and new challenges, 25:51.270 --> 25:53.383 and this has not changed, unfortunately, 25:55.020 --> 25:59.653 and we also see how military action 26:00.900 --> 26:03.080 now provides an extra capacity, 26:03.080 --> 26:06.040 surge capacity for the civilian society 26:06.040 --> 26:10.010 to deal with crisis, as the corona crisis. 26:10.010 --> 26:11.580 All over NATO allied countries, 26:11.580 --> 26:15.080 we see how military personnel are helping 26:15.080 --> 26:20.010 the health sector to deal with the crisis, 26:20.010 --> 26:23.310 but also helping to control borders, 26:23.310 --> 26:26.530 field hospitals, logistics and so on. 26:26.530 --> 26:29.010 So, enlisting in the military provides 26:29.010 --> 26:32.170 also a capacity which has proven extremely useful 26:32.170 --> 26:35.090 in dealing with surprises, crisis, 26:35.090 --> 26:38.630 natural disasters or health crisis as the coronavirus. 26:38.630 --> 26:39.968 - [Oana] Thank you. 26:39.968 --> 26:42.060 We have time for two or three more questions, 26:42.060 --> 26:45.330 and we now go to Thomas Gutschker 26:45.330 --> 26:47.533 from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. 26:54.310 --> 26:55.310 - Secretary General, 26:56.150 --> 26:57.243 thank you very much. 26:58.510 --> 27:03.510 When you say that all NATO troops maintain readiness, 27:05.250 --> 27:08.621 what exactly does that mean in practice 27:08.621 --> 27:12.150 for the troops that are in operations, 27:12.150 --> 27:16.140 be it in Afghanistan or in the Baltic states? 27:16.140 --> 27:19.730 Which practical measures have been taken 27:19.730 --> 27:22.440 to prevent the spread of infections 27:22.440 --> 27:25.390 among these troops that certainly do not do 27:25.390 --> 27:28.313 telework from their homes, 27:30.160 --> 27:30.993 thank you. 27:34.180 --> 27:35.583 - First of all, I think we have to understand 27:35.583 --> 27:39.400 that this is difficult for all of us, 27:39.400 --> 27:41.760 but especially those who are living far away 27:41.760 --> 27:44.810 from their loved ones, and NATO personnel, 27:44.810 --> 27:46.160 in NATO mission and operations, 27:46.160 --> 27:50.270 be it in Afghanistan or Iraq or in Kosovo, 27:50.270 --> 27:52.810 or German troops that maybe deployed, 27:52.810 --> 27:56.010 or are deployed in Lithuania, they are far from home. 27:56.010 --> 27:57.770 They are far from their loved ones, 27:57.770 --> 28:00.150 and I believe that many of them 28:00.150 --> 28:02.060 would have liked to be much closer to home, 28:02.060 --> 28:05.803 much, much closer to their family and loved ones. 28:07.760 --> 28:10.260 So, therefore, I actually express my gratitude 28:10.260 --> 28:11.570 to all those people that 28:11.570 --> 28:15.273 continue to serve in a difficult time. 28:16.740 --> 28:20.790 We have no reported cases of coronavirus in, 28:20.790 --> 28:21.930 also from, for instance, 28:21.930 --> 28:25.210 our missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo, 28:25.210 --> 28:28.313 but of course, they have implemented measures, 28:28.313 --> 28:30.220 they have taken preventive measures 28:30.220 --> 28:34.190 to deal with the threat of the corona, 28:34.190 --> 28:36.593 the spread of the coronavirus. 28:38.050 --> 28:40.200 Military personnel in military operations, 28:40.200 --> 28:42.280 of course, they stay, they live close. 28:42.280 --> 28:43.210 They live in the barracks. 28:43.210 --> 28:46.010 They have some special challenges related to 28:46.010 --> 28:48.230 how they actually live their lives, 28:48.230 --> 28:49.980 but I also think they have some advantages, 28:49.980 --> 28:51.540 because they are used to discipline, 28:51.540 --> 28:53.523 they are used to very strict routines. 28:54.360 --> 28:56.900 So, for instance, routines related to, 28:56.900 --> 28:59.793 you know, washing your hands or social distancing 28:59.793 --> 29:03.390 and that kind of thing are now 29:03.390 --> 29:06.560 strictly implemented in all our missions and operations, 29:06.560 --> 29:10.660 and again, our Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 29:10.660 --> 29:14.350 General Wolters, briefed allies on these measures 29:14.350 --> 29:16.120 which are now implemented 29:16.120 --> 29:17.500 in all our missions and operations, 29:17.500 --> 29:20.200 to make sure that the battle groups 29:20.200 --> 29:22.020 in the Baltic countries and Poland, 29:22.020 --> 29:25.700 or the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan, 29:25.700 --> 29:28.750 or our naval presence, 29:28.750 --> 29:33.170 the Standing Maritime Groups are operational, 29:33.170 --> 29:37.690 even in times where we see the coronavirus 29:37.690 --> 29:39.807 as a global pandemic, 29:39.807 --> 29:43.110 and the message is that our forces are ready. 29:43.110 --> 29:45.490 Our operations are working, 29:45.490 --> 29:50.053 and we are ready to react if there is a need, 29:51.910 --> 29:54.610 regardless of where the threat is coming from. 29:54.610 --> 29:55.700 - [Oana] Thank you. 29:55.700 --> 30:00.700 Next question to Güldener Sonomut from NTV, please. 30:01.460 --> 30:04.600 - Yes, Secretary General, good morning. 30:04.600 --> 30:07.903 I have a question with regard to Article 4. 30:08.844 --> 30:10.079 (Skype call drowns speech) 30:10.079 --> 30:12.700 That has been for years, 30:12.700 --> 30:16.640 for NATO to reinforce the southern border of Turkey, 30:16.640 --> 30:18.830 which is NATO. 30:18.830 --> 30:21.570 There are still on this topic, 30:21.570 --> 30:23.421 and it is not new, 30:23.421 --> 30:25.140 it's been since 2014, 15, 30:25.140 --> 30:29.143 has been meeting about two weeks ago, 30:30.029 --> 30:31.200 apparently there are still 30:31.200 --> 30:34.300 a lot of short comings to that end. 30:34.300 --> 30:38.899 Could you reassure that in one way or the other, 30:38.899 --> 30:41.951 these short comings will be fulfilled by NATO, 30:41.951 --> 30:43.640 and that there are appetite 30:43.640 --> 30:48.640 by member states to these short comings or not? 30:49.265 --> 30:50.640 Thank you very much. 30:50.640 --> 30:52.600 - I had really some problems with 30:52.600 --> 30:54.870 hearing the full question, 30:54.870 --> 30:56.460 but my understanding is that it was 30:56.460 --> 30:59.830 about Article 4 and the consultations 30:59.830 --> 31:02.970 with Turkey after the attack in the Idlib province, 31:02.970 --> 31:05.790 and also the assurance measures, 31:05.790 --> 31:10.253 which NATO has provided, or is providing to Turkey. 31:11.090 --> 31:13.807 So, I will at least reflect or respond to that. 31:13.807 --> 31:18.807 So, first, we had a meeting which Turkey called for 31:19.710 --> 31:23.400 a couple of weeks ago, after the attacks 31:23.400 --> 31:26.023 on Turkish forces in Idlib. 31:29.120 --> 31:33.900 NATO allies condemn the attack. 31:33.900 --> 31:36.790 The indiscriminate bombing of targets 31:36.790 --> 31:41.040 in the Idlib province has caused enormous suffering, 31:41.040 --> 31:45.850 and killed a lot of people, 31:45.850 --> 31:48.970 including also then, Turkish soldiers. 31:48.970 --> 31:52.520 Therefore, we strongly also welcome the ceasefire, 31:52.520 --> 31:54.150 and now we need to do whatever we can 31:54.150 --> 31:56.270 to make sure that the ceasefire in the implement, 31:56.270 --> 31:58.753 in the Idlib province holds, 32:00.443 --> 32:01.370 because that's the first step 32:01.370 --> 32:05.220 towards a more lasting political, 32:05.220 --> 32:09.833 negotiated solution to the crisis in Idlib and in Syria, 32:11.340 --> 32:13.840 and we support the U.N. led efforts, 32:13.840 --> 32:18.840 and we also call on both Russia and the Assad regime, 32:19.490 --> 32:22.193 who are responsible for these attacks, 32:23.040 --> 32:26.210 to fully engage in a constructive way 32:27.080 --> 32:30.253 in U.N. led efforts to find a political solution. 32:31.810 --> 32:33.750 No other NATO ally is 32:33.750 --> 32:36.160 more affected by the crisis, the violence, 32:36.160 --> 32:40.800 the turmoil in Syria than Turkey. 32:40.800 --> 32:45.260 Turkey hosts close to 4 million refugees. 32:45.260 --> 32:46.800 They have suffered more terrorist attacks 32:46.800 --> 32:48.493 than no other NATO ally, 32:49.610 --> 32:53.630 and NATO provides support to Turkey. 32:53.630 --> 32:57.160 We have agreed some assurance measures. 32:57.160 --> 32:59.781 So meaning that we have AWACS planes. 32:59.781 --> 33:04.781 We have had some more naval presence and NATO, 33:08.120 --> 33:13.120 or NATO Ally, Spain, is also delivering capabilities 33:13.420 --> 33:15.860 to augment the Turkish air defenses 33:15.860 --> 33:18.470 with the Patriot battery. 33:18.470 --> 33:22.450 We are looking into what more we can do 33:22.450 --> 33:27.450 to provide assurance, support, to Turkey, 33:27.920 --> 33:30.500 because as I said, no other ally is more affected 33:30.500 --> 33:35.243 by the violence, the turmoil in Syria than Turkey. 33:36.090 --> 33:37.561 - [Oana] Thank you very much. 33:37.561 --> 33:40.390 We now have time for the very last question, 33:40.390 --> 33:42.170 which goes to Ketevan Kardava 33:42.170 --> 33:44.203 from Imedi TV, Georgia. 33:46.030 --> 33:48.443 - Good morning Secretary General, Oana. 33:49.290 --> 33:51.660 Hello to everyone. 33:51.660 --> 33:54.513 In this a new reality when we, 33:55.440 --> 33:59.823 everyone are dealing with this unprecedented virus, 34:00.720 --> 34:04.770 we would like to know if ongoing situation, 34:04.770 --> 34:09.770 and our fight against COVID 19 influence our plans, 34:11.480 --> 34:14.206 NATO Georgia plans for 2020. 34:14.206 --> 34:18.289 (Skype feedback distorts speech) 34:21.330 --> 34:24.085 And also with the, how would you. 34:24.085 --> 34:27.835 (Skype call distorts speech) 34:28.742 --> 34:30.992 What we have done together, 34:32.238 --> 34:33.405 for COVID 19. 34:34.543 --> 34:36.377 Thank you so much, take care, 34:36.377 --> 34:40.166 and hope to see you very, very soon. 34:40.166 --> 34:43.850 - So first of all, NATO very much appreciate 34:43.850 --> 34:47.260 and value the close and strong 34:47.260 --> 34:50.290 partnership with Georgia. 34:50.290 --> 34:52.930 Georgia is an important partner for NATO 34:52.930 --> 34:57.410 and NATO provides, also, support to Georgia, 34:57.410 --> 34:59.670 practical support, political support, 34:59.670 --> 35:01.400 and last year, we had the 35:01.400 --> 35:04.270 North Atlantic Council visiting Georgia. 35:04.270 --> 35:08.690 We had several meetings with the Georgian leadership, 35:08.690 --> 35:12.420 both in Tbilisi, but also here in Brussels, 35:12.420 --> 35:16.420 and we continue to support Georgia, 35:16.420 --> 35:19.240 not least by helping Georgia to 35:19.240 --> 35:23.200 implement reform of their security and defense sector, 35:23.200 --> 35:28.200 and also to move towards Euro Atlantic integration. 35:28.710 --> 35:30.770 Georgia is a highly valued partner, 35:30.770 --> 35:33.270 because also Georgia contributes to 35:33.270 --> 35:35.380 NATO missions and operations. 35:35.380 --> 35:36.440 Georgia has, for many years, 35:36.440 --> 35:38.980 been one of the partners, 35:38.980 --> 35:41.910 or actually one of the countries that provides 35:41.910 --> 35:44.060 the highest number of troops 35:44.060 --> 35:45.730 to our Mission in Afghanistan, 35:45.730 --> 35:47.140 and we are extremely grateful, 35:47.140 --> 35:49.490 and we know that many Georgian soldiers 35:49.490 --> 35:51.610 have paid the ultimate price 35:51.610 --> 35:53.600 in the operation in Afghanistan, 35:53.600 --> 35:55.743 fighting international terrorism. 35:56.650 --> 35:59.630 We will continue to work closely with Georgia. 35:59.630 --> 36:01.910 We have a program which has agreed 36:01.910 --> 36:04.453 on how to continue to provide support. 36:05.690 --> 36:08.030 We, for instance, have also now started 36:08.030 --> 36:10.690 to work with the Coast Guard, 36:10.690 --> 36:13.650 we had some exercises and we have plans 36:13.650 --> 36:15.363 in place to continue that support. 36:16.450 --> 36:20.090 When it comes to meetings and visits, 36:20.090 --> 36:22.680 of course, that has to be decided 36:22.680 --> 36:24.880 when we see how the coronavirus crisis 36:24.880 --> 36:26.113 develops or evolves, 36:27.440 --> 36:29.220 because we have been forced to 36:29.220 --> 36:32.837 cancel so many things, some visits, 36:34.860 --> 36:39.060 both incoming visits, but also travel 36:39.060 --> 36:41.720 from NATO Headquarters to other countries, 36:41.720 --> 36:43.480 including partner countries, 36:43.480 --> 36:47.360 to reduce the likelihood of any spread of the coronavirus. 36:47.360 --> 36:50.120 So it is a bit early to say 36:50.120 --> 36:51.700 what the consequences will be, 36:51.700 --> 36:53.228 but regardless of whether 36:53.228 --> 36:54.610 there will be some cancellations, 36:54.610 --> 36:56.310 NATO allies will stay committed. 36:56.310 --> 36:58.590 NATO will continue to provide support, 36:58.590 --> 37:03.590 but perhaps with some fewer meetings 37:04.150 --> 37:06.403 and visits than originally planned. 37:07.830 --> 37:09.060 - [Oana] And this is our last question. 37:09.060 --> 37:10.650 Thank you very much. 37:10.650 --> 37:13.530 Secretary General, you have the last word. 37:13.530 --> 37:15.410 - Thank you so much. 37:15.410 --> 37:19.050 We have come to the end of this press conference, 37:19.050 --> 37:20.100 and thank you everyone for 37:20.100 --> 37:23.093 adapting to this virtual format, 37:26.160 --> 37:28.400 and please all continue to apply 37:28.400 --> 37:32.160 the necessary measures to stay safe and healthy. 37:32.160 --> 37:35.680 Keep a social distance, wash your hands, 37:35.680 --> 37:40.310 and all of those of you who can, stay at home. 37:40.310 --> 37:44.410 Small steps can make a major difference. 37:44.410 --> 37:45.243 Thank you.