WEBVTT 00:04.250 --> 00:07.030 - [Oana Lungescu] And we will now take questions 00:07.030 --> 00:09.690 on Skype and by WhatsApp. 00:09.690 --> 00:14.057 We start in Brussels with Agence France-Presse, Damon Wake. 00:14.057 --> 00:15.423 Damon, please go ahead. 00:16.960 --> 00:18.770 - Oh, hello there, good morning. 00:18.770 --> 00:23.740 I'd like to ask: how NATO plans to learn the lessons 00:23.740 --> 00:26.040 from this coronavirus epidemic? 00:26.040 --> 00:30.580 Are there any plans to set up some kind of group 00:30.580 --> 00:33.790 to study the response that's being done, 00:33.790 --> 00:36.423 what's gone well, what could be done better. 00:37.815 --> 00:42.560 And a second, separate question, also on reflection groups, 00:42.560 --> 00:46.280 when do you expect the reflection group 00:46.280 --> 00:48.130 you announced yesterday, when you do you expect that 00:48.130 --> 00:51.510 to report back? 00:51.510 --> 00:53.150 There was some mention of it being 00:53.150 --> 00:54.940 before the summit next year, 00:54.940 --> 00:57.723 will there be any interim report before then? 00:58.800 --> 00:59.633 Thanks. 00:59.633 --> 01:03.740 - The reflection group is set up to support me 01:03.740 --> 01:07.210 in the reflection process I was asked by the leaders 01:07.210 --> 01:12.210 to organize at the Leaders Meeting in London last December. 01:14.620 --> 01:18.140 And I will put forward my proposals to the leaders 01:18.140 --> 01:22.980 of the NATO-Allied countries, when they meet again in 2021, 01:24.681 --> 01:26.092 so next year. 01:26.092 --> 01:29.770 So the group is there to support my efforts 01:32.338 --> 01:35.590 to organize this reflection process. 01:35.590 --> 01:38.850 And I think we have to remember that NATO has been through, 01:38.850 --> 01:41.283 or have conducted similar processes before. 01:42.580 --> 01:45.780 Last time it was headed by Madeleine Albright, 01:45.780 --> 01:47.800 the Foreign Minister Madeleine Albright, 01:47.800 --> 01:51.400 and I think this is a good opportunity, 01:51.400 --> 01:54.200 a perfect opportunity for NATO to look 01:54.200 --> 01:57.540 into how we can further strengthen a strong Alliance, 01:57.540 --> 02:00.920 strengthen our political dimension. 02:00.920 --> 02:04.130 NATO is a strong Alliance, we are delivering every day 02:04.130 --> 02:05.390 on deterrence, defense. 02:05.390 --> 02:08.240 We have implemented the biggest reinforcement 02:08.240 --> 02:10.390 of our collective defense in a decade, 02:10.390 --> 02:12.980 and we are stepping up in the fight against terrorism. 02:12.980 --> 02:17.880 At the same time, I have stated many times that we also see 02:17.880 --> 02:20.310 that we are an alliance of 30 democracies, 02:20.310 --> 02:22.860 from both sides of the Atlantic, with different history, 02:22.860 --> 02:26.530 different political parties in government. 02:26.530 --> 02:30.050 So, of course, there are differences between Allies, 02:30.050 --> 02:32.300 and therefore I think it is a good thing to look 02:32.300 --> 02:36.230 into how we can strengthen NATO as a platform 02:36.230 --> 02:41.230 for transatlantic discussion, transatlantic coordination. 02:42.790 --> 02:47.510 And I think that this reflection process is a good way 02:47.510 --> 02:48.506 of doing that. 02:48.506 --> 02:52.973 And I'm looking forward to working with the group. 02:54.220 --> 02:57.900 And I'm looking forward to also receiving their input, 02:57.900 --> 02:58.733 their advice. 02:58.733 --> 03:03.733 And then based on that, I will then provide my suggestions 03:04.310 --> 03:08.523 or put forward my proposals for the leaders next year. 03:09.910 --> 03:12.710 Our focus now when it comes to the COVID-19 crisis is, 03:12.710 --> 03:15.940 of course, to help the civilian authorities, 03:15.940 --> 03:20.040 the health care systems to combat the virus, 03:20.040 --> 03:25.040 to deal with the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. 03:26.610 --> 03:28.180 And we see across the Alliance 03:28.180 --> 03:32.500 that military personnel are actually helping a lot 03:32.500 --> 03:35.410 with everything, from controlling border crossings, 03:35.410 --> 03:40.410 to disinfecting public areas, to providing field hospitals. 03:40.560 --> 03:43.220 And we see how NATO Allies also provide support 03:43.220 --> 03:44.150 to each other. 03:44.150 --> 03:48.200 Just today, a Turkish plane left Turkey 03:48.200 --> 03:53.200 with medical equipment for two NATO Allies, Spain and Italy. 03:54.153 --> 03:55.923 And this was a request 03:55.923 --> 04:00.923 within the NATO Disaster Relief Coordination Center. 04:03.470 --> 04:06.390 We are also now looking into lessons learned. 04:06.390 --> 04:09.810 Of course, it's too early to draw any conclusions, 04:09.810 --> 04:14.810 but anything related to how we are able to respond, 04:15.260 --> 04:17.990 to coordinate our responses, and also the resilience 04:17.990 --> 04:22.990 of our health systems, of our civilian infrastructure, 04:23.160 --> 04:26.500 but also of NATO in times of crisis, 04:26.500 --> 04:31.500 are issues we have to look into after this COVID-19 crisis. 04:32.510 --> 04:36.870 NATO has developed baseline requirements 04:36.870 --> 04:41.870 for civilian resilience, for resilience of our societies, 04:42.410 --> 04:45.120 and we need to look into them to see 04:45.120 --> 04:48.730 if there is any need for updating, further developing them 04:48.730 --> 04:50.543 in the light of the COVID-19 crisis. 04:51.570 --> 04:54.980 - [Oana Lungescu] Next question goes to Teri Schultz 04:54.980 --> 04:56.180 from Deutsche Welle/NPR. 04:58.790 --> 05:00.340 - [Teri Schultz] Hi, thank you. 05:01.200 --> 05:06.130 I wanted to find out what you think of proposals being made 05:06.130 --> 05:09.843 that NATO could take a stronger role in, sort of, 05:10.770 --> 05:13.740 coordination of the aid. 05:13.740 --> 05:16.390 The Alliance may have a better idea 05:16.390 --> 05:19.920 of exactly what assets Allies have in stockpiles 05:19.920 --> 05:21.073 that could be used. 05:22.302 --> 05:26.957 And additionally, also is more able to work quickly 05:29.230 --> 05:30.063 with command and control. 05:30.063 --> 05:33.980 I'm sorry, the lag here is really bad and... 05:33.980 --> 05:35.530 Hold on, I need to mute myself. 05:36.580 --> 05:38.970 And so there are suggestions being made 05:38.970 --> 05:42.190 that NATO could actually take a central role 05:42.190 --> 05:44.850 in coordination and not leave it just to the European Union. 05:44.850 --> 05:49.300 And I also wanted to know about this lag 05:49.300 --> 05:50.950 in providing the supplies. 05:50.950 --> 05:55.780 Do Allies have some responsibility in allowing Russia 05:55.780 --> 05:58.253 and China to have used that space early, 05:59.630 --> 06:01.930 to make these claims about NATO responsibility 06:01.930 --> 06:05.800 and effectiveness and the other disinformation 06:05.800 --> 06:07.490 that's being put out right now? 06:07.490 --> 06:08.540 Thanks. 06:08.540 --> 06:10.210 - Since the beginning of this crisis, 06:10.210 --> 06:12.500 we have seen that military capabilities 06:12.500 --> 06:15.400 have supported the civilian efforts 06:15.400 --> 06:19.496 to combat the COVID-19 crisis. 06:19.496 --> 06:23.370 And of course, Allies, nations know best what kind 06:23.370 --> 06:27.320 of help they need and how to use their armed forces. 06:27.320 --> 06:31.140 What NATO is doing is to help to coordinate some 06:31.140 --> 06:34.940 of those efforts, help to coordinate some of the support. 06:34.940 --> 06:38.030 And also with our NATO structures and NATO capabilities, 06:38.030 --> 06:41.223 provide some support to Allies. 06:42.120 --> 06:45.610 It's always, what should I say, possible 06:45.610 --> 06:49.420 to discuss how we can even further step up 06:49.420 --> 06:53.530 and do things even more quickly and do more. 06:53.530 --> 06:56.770 And that's exactly why we are going to have COVID-19 06:56.770 --> 07:00.730 as the issue on the top of the agenda tomorrow 07:00.730 --> 07:04.383 when NATO foreign ministers meet in a virtual meeting. 07:05.459 --> 07:08.750 And I expect them to look into what can be done 07:08.750 --> 07:12.850 to provide more support and to speed up the support 07:12.850 --> 07:15.900 we provide, because this is going to take time. 07:15.900 --> 07:18.863 There'll be a need for support over a long period of time. 07:19.920 --> 07:22.460 Military capabilities have been part of the response 07:22.460 --> 07:26.300 from the beginning, supporting the civilian efforts, 07:26.300 --> 07:28.240 but I expect also military capabilities 07:28.240 --> 07:32.387 to be part of the efforts in the coming weeks and months. 07:34.490 --> 07:37.130 We already use NATO structures to coordinate efforts, 07:37.130 --> 07:40.420 for instance, today we have this Turkish plane, 07:40.420 --> 07:44.550 it's a Turkish plane delivering support to two NATO Allies, 07:44.550 --> 07:46.640 Spain and Italy. 07:46.640 --> 07:51.110 But it is a military plane and it's coordinated 07:51.110 --> 07:55.470 by the NATO Disaster Relief Coordination Center. 07:55.470 --> 08:00.470 So, it's a way NATO helping to mobilize bilateral support 08:01.010 --> 08:02.720 between NATO Allies. 08:02.720 --> 08:04.438 And we will continue to do exactly that 08:04.438 --> 08:06.420 and try to do even more. 08:06.420 --> 08:10.940 And also even more, even faster 08:10.940 --> 08:14.093 when Allies put forward requests. 08:15.000 --> 08:15.860 - You didn't answer the part, 08:15.860 --> 08:17.800 sorry, sir, about Russia. 08:17.800 --> 08:20.330 Russia, it being easy for Russia and China 08:20.330 --> 08:21.670 to exploit that space. 08:21.670 --> 08:23.410 And are you suspicious, for example, 08:23.410 --> 08:24.990 about these Russian medics 08:24.990 --> 08:26.930 who were sent there during the time 08:26.930 --> 08:29.620 that Europeans were not sending that kind of assistance? 08:29.620 --> 08:32.440 You've got at least 100, possibly more, 08:32.440 --> 08:35.240 personnel on the ground now in Italy, for example. 08:35.240 --> 08:38.160 - Well, it is for nations to decide what kind 08:38.160 --> 08:39.873 of help they need. 08:41.890 --> 08:45.220 And what we see is that this is an international crisis 08:45.220 --> 08:47.420 and we need to help each other. 08:47.420 --> 08:50.910 NATO Allies help, other countries help 08:52.039 --> 08:55.180 and at the end of the day, it has to be based 08:55.180 --> 08:59.823 on national requests and national needs. 09:01.720 --> 09:05.160 That's in a way what I can say about the different kinds 09:05.160 --> 09:07.577 of help which different Allies are receiving. 09:08.970 --> 09:11.220 - [Oana Lungescu] We now go to Lailuma Sadid 09:11.220 --> 09:13.023 from Afghanistan Voice. 09:15.760 --> 09:17.710 - Thank you very much. 09:17.710 --> 09:20.380 Secretary General, as you mentioned in your speech 09:20.380 --> 09:22.170 that the security situation 09:22.170 --> 09:24.850 in Afghanistan remains challenging. 09:24.850 --> 09:29.850 As you know, the month of March was one of the deadliest 09:30.137 --> 09:33.080 for Afghan security forces. 09:33.080 --> 09:38.080 More than 40 Afghan security were killed 09:38.470 --> 09:41.760 in the Taliban attack in different provinces. 09:41.760 --> 09:46.760 Isn't this approach contrary to peace 09:46.810 --> 09:49.340 and ending the war in Afghanistan? 09:49.340 --> 09:54.200 And second question, how do you assess the role of Pakistan 09:54.200 --> 09:58.507 and other regional countries in the peace talk process 09:58.507 --> 09:59.450 with the Taliban? 09:59.450 --> 10:01.126 Thank you very much. 10:01.126 --> 10:04.840 - The Taliban must reduce violence 10:04.840 --> 10:09.840 and respect the agreement they have made with the US, 10:10.070 --> 10:15.070 which is the basis for intra-Afghan peace talks, 10:15.500 --> 10:16.913 peace negotiations. 10:18.630 --> 10:22.490 We strongly believe that NATO has to be, 10:22.490 --> 10:25.193 continue to be, committed to Afghanistan. 10:26.110 --> 10:29.410 The situation in Afghanistan remains very difficult. 10:29.410 --> 10:30.380 We see violence. 10:30.380 --> 10:33.950 We also see challenges within the government. 10:33.950 --> 10:36.130 And therefore, it is important, too, 10:36.130 --> 10:38.690 that all parties now are constructive 10:38.690 --> 10:43.403 and engage in the peace or make the conditions, 10:45.090 --> 10:46.200 establish the conditions 10:46.200 --> 10:49.713 for launching intra-Afghan negotiations. 10:51.450 --> 10:55.500 We are in the process of reducing our presence 10:55.500 --> 10:59.203 in Afghanistan, but we will stay committed to Afghanistan, 11:00.742 --> 11:03.673 to the peace and security in the region. 11:04.820 --> 11:07.400 And everything we do will be conditions-based. 11:07.400 --> 11:10.080 And as I said, we will reduce to a level 11:10.080 --> 11:11.650 of around 12,000 troops. 11:11.650 --> 11:14.650 That's actually roughly the same level of troops we had 11:14.650 --> 11:19.540 before we increased the troop levels in 2017, 11:19.540 --> 11:23.250 and 12,000 troops is a level of troops that enables us 11:23.250 --> 11:28.230 to continue with the Train, Assist 11:28.230 --> 11:30.620 and Advise Mission we have in Afghanistan, 11:30.620 --> 11:33.803 also with the different bases outside Kabul. 11:36.600 --> 11:39.490 A lasting peace in Afghanistan requires the support 11:39.490 --> 11:41.480 of all the countries in the region. 11:41.480 --> 11:43.750 And that, of course, includes Pakistan. 11:43.750 --> 11:45.650 So regional support is key 11:45.650 --> 11:49.580 to any stable peace in Afghanistan. 11:49.580 --> 11:50.600 - [Oana Lungescu] Thank you. 11:50.600 --> 11:55.334 The next question goes to Iryna Somer from Interfax-Ukraine. 11:55.334 --> 11:56.484 Iryna, please go ahead. 11:59.822 --> 12:02.208 - [Iryna] Good morning. 12:02.208 --> 12:03.138 - [Jens] Good morning. 12:03.138 --> 12:04.010 I can hear you. 12:04.010 --> 12:05.950 - Good, you hear me, good. 12:05.950 --> 12:09.890 Secretary General, I have several questions for you. 12:09.890 --> 12:14.450 Considering such extraordinary circumstances, 12:14.450 --> 12:19.203 what prevented the Allies from holding meetings, 12:20.280 --> 12:24.460 in the same format, I mean, via conference secure, 12:24.460 --> 12:27.620 of these partners country, Ukraine and Georgia? 12:27.620 --> 12:30.710 Second question: you already mentioned help, 12:30.710 --> 12:35.363 assistance which provided to Italy and Portugal, via EADRCC. 12:37.600 --> 12:40.330 I would like to know if NATO got similar requests 12:40.330 --> 12:41.760 from partners country? 12:41.760 --> 12:45.890 And third question is regarding your expert group 12:45.890 --> 12:47.620 you appointed yesterday. 12:47.620 --> 12:49.550 Can you please tell us a little bit more? 12:49.550 --> 12:52.690 How did you actually select these people? 12:52.690 --> 12:53.523 Thank you. 12:55.670 --> 12:59.150 - Well, I selected the group based on nominations 13:00.010 --> 13:03.490 from the different countries, but these, 13:03.490 --> 13:06.210 the members of the group does not represent their country. 13:06.210 --> 13:08.100 They are there in their own capacity, 13:08.100 --> 13:11.537 with their own background and knowledge, skills. 13:11.537 --> 13:16.537 And the group is composed in a way which reflects that... 13:17.470 --> 13:19.780 We actually have a group there 13:19.780 --> 13:23.221 that have a variety of different backgrounds. 13:23.221 --> 13:28.160 And I think that makes the group a valuable group for NATO 13:28.160 --> 13:31.070 and for the whole reflection process and will be helpful 13:31.070 --> 13:34.620 for me in my work when I prepare my proposals 13:34.620 --> 13:38.140 for the leaders at the summit next year. 13:49.930 --> 13:52.700 We have a virtual meeting tomorrow and, of course, 13:52.700 --> 13:56.230 that means we had to change a bit the format 13:56.230 --> 13:57.063 of that meeting. 13:57.063 --> 13:59.440 It was originally planned over two days 13:59.440 --> 14:01.350 with several meetings, including with a meeting 14:01.350 --> 14:05.210 with Ukraine and Georgia. 14:05.210 --> 14:09.220 But what leaders will do is that they... 14:09.220 --> 14:11.370 Sorry, what I expect foreign ministers to do is 14:11.370 --> 14:16.060 to agree a package, a new package of support for Georgia 14:16.060 --> 14:20.670 and Ukraine to further strengthen our partnerships, 14:20.670 --> 14:23.330 including with exercises in the Black Sea region, 14:23.330 --> 14:26.850 which is of strategic importance for NATO. 14:26.850 --> 14:30.260 So I expect that even though there is no meeting 14:30.260 --> 14:32.590 with Georgia and Ukraine, I actually expect 14:32.590 --> 14:35.230 that the foreign ministers will agree a package 14:35.230 --> 14:38.650 that will further strengthen our political support 14:38.650 --> 14:42.963 and practical support to these two countries. 14:43.850 --> 14:44.683 - [Oana Lungescu] Thank you. 14:44.683 --> 14:46.600 Now we go to Thomas Gutschker 14:46.600 --> 14:48.613 from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. 14:50.160 --> 14:51.050 - Yes. 14:51.050 --> 14:52.900 Good morning, Secretary General. 14:52.900 --> 14:57.060 Thank you very much for providing this opportunity again. 14:57.060 --> 14:58.260 I have two questions. 14:58.260 --> 15:03.260 The first one is on: how does COVID-19 affect operations, 15:08.250 --> 15:11.023 especially in Afghanistan and Lithuania? 15:11.960 --> 15:16.430 And what is NATO doing to prevent the spread 15:16.430 --> 15:19.167 of the virus with troops on the ground? 15:19.167 --> 15:23.370 And the second question: how much are you concerned 15:23.370 --> 15:26.330 that Russia is taking advantage 15:26.330 --> 15:28.630 of this current health crisis, 15:28.630 --> 15:31.170 and which indications do you have for that 15:31.170 --> 15:33.670 besides disinformation? 15:33.670 --> 15:37.430 So maybe you can refer to the military exercise 15:37.430 --> 15:38.960 that has been taking place. 15:38.960 --> 15:39.793 Thanks a lot. 15:41.400 --> 15:43.280 (Jens clears throat) 15:43.280 --> 15:45.600 - We are, of course, making sure 15:45.600 --> 15:50.600 that we are taking the necessary preventive measures 15:50.640 --> 15:52.570 to prevent the spread of the virus. 15:52.570 --> 15:54.730 We do that at these NATO headquarters, 15:54.730 --> 15:57.450 that's reason why we now conduct virtual meetings 15:57.450 --> 16:00.810 in the way we do now and also virtual press conferences. 16:00.810 --> 16:03.940 And we have reduced significantly the number of meetings, 16:03.940 --> 16:06.763 the number of people coming to these headquarters. 16:08.270 --> 16:11.100 That's also the case when we look 16:11.100 --> 16:13.710 at our different military missions and operations. 16:13.710 --> 16:15.310 The different military commanders 16:15.310 --> 16:20.257 have implemented a wide range of precautionary measures 16:22.030 --> 16:26.200 to help reduce the spread of the virus. 16:26.200 --> 16:31.200 That's also the case in Afghanistan, where Germany's present 16:32.610 --> 16:36.290 with its troops in the Resolute Support Mission. 16:36.290 --> 16:39.592 It's also the case in our battlegroups 16:39.592 --> 16:42.890 in the Baltic countries, again in Lithuania, 16:42.890 --> 16:44.170 where Germany is present. 16:44.170 --> 16:47.720 So, the military commanders have made sure 16:47.720 --> 16:51.470 that they have implemented measures 16:51.470 --> 16:55.280 to prevent the spread of the virus. 16:55.280 --> 16:57.630 At the same time, it is extremely important 16:57.630 --> 17:02.280 that while we have the COVID-19 crisis, 17:02.280 --> 17:05.680 that NATO can continue to operate. 17:05.680 --> 17:07.930 Because the threats and the challenges 17:07.930 --> 17:11.590 we are faced with don't disappear 17:11.590 --> 17:14.140 because of the COVID-19 crisis. 17:14.140 --> 17:15.670 So we still have terrorist threats. 17:15.670 --> 17:18.820 We still have al-Qaeda and ISIS out there. 17:18.820 --> 17:22.843 They don't disappear because of the COVID-19 crisis. 17:23.697 --> 17:27.300 We still have a unique opportunity for peace in Afghanistan. 17:27.300 --> 17:29.400 We need to be present and make sure 17:29.400 --> 17:34.173 that we do everything we can to create peace in Afghanistan. 17:35.161 --> 17:39.560 And we, of course, see significant military activities close 17:39.560 --> 17:42.960 to NATO borders with a new exercise 17:42.960 --> 17:46.590 in the western military districts of Russia, 17:46.590 --> 17:47.760 close to NATO borders. 17:47.760 --> 17:52.500 We have seen significant Russian presence in the North Sea. 17:52.500 --> 17:55.410 So therefore, NATO has to continue to patrol our skies 17:55.410 --> 17:56.340 with air policing. 17:56.340 --> 17:58.640 We need to be present on land, 18:03.140 --> 18:05.030 but also in the air and at sea. 18:05.030 --> 18:09.320 And we have our Standing Naval Forces, 18:09.320 --> 18:11.950 which continue to patrol the seas. 18:11.950 --> 18:16.410 So our operational readiness is maintained, 18:16.410 --> 18:18.400 is not undermined. 18:18.400 --> 18:21.463 We have made some adjustments to exercises. 18:22.420 --> 18:24.020 We have canceled some exercises. 18:24.020 --> 18:26.110 We have adjusted some other exercises. 18:26.110 --> 18:27.860 But that doesn't change, 18:27.860 --> 18:31.270 that doesn't undermine our operational readiness. 18:31.270 --> 18:36.270 And we continue to patrol the skies and defend our borders, 18:38.547 --> 18:40.800 and we continue our missions and operations, 18:40.800 --> 18:42.430 not least in the fight against terrorism, 18:42.430 --> 18:44.693 because these threats continue to exist. 18:45.550 --> 18:47.970 - [Oana Lungescu] The next question will come 18:47.970 --> 18:50.310 from Bucharest, Romania. 18:50.310 --> 18:52.690 Calea Europeana, Robert Lupitu. 18:52.690 --> 18:53.890 Please go ahead, Robert. 18:54.757 --> 18:55.590 - Thank you. 18:55.590 --> 18:56.423 Good morning. 18:56.423 --> 18:58.580 Mr. Secretary General, so given your phone call 18:58.580 --> 19:00.720 with US Secretary of State Pompeo, 19:00.720 --> 19:03.480 how will NATO act to counter disinformation 19:03.480 --> 19:06.760 and propaganda from both Russia and China on the virus? 19:06.760 --> 19:09.630 And secondly, regardless of the pandemic, 19:09.630 --> 19:12.250 Russia continues to pose a challenge on the eastern flank 19:12.250 --> 19:13.480 and the Black Sea. 19:13.480 --> 19:15.640 Last year in Washington, you announced a package 19:15.640 --> 19:17.730 of measures for the Black Sea region. 19:17.730 --> 19:20.680 What will NATO do during the course of the current situation 19:20.680 --> 19:23.661 with the virus, with the security in the region 19:23.661 --> 19:25.810 which also remains very important? 19:25.810 --> 19:26.643 Thank you. 19:30.710 --> 19:35.650 - We have seen examples of disinformation, propaganda. 19:35.650 --> 19:39.520 And I don't believe that the best response 19:39.520 --> 19:41.100 to propaganda is propaganda. 19:41.100 --> 19:44.222 I believe that the best response to propaganda is the facts, 19:44.222 --> 19:45.633 is the truth. 19:47.238 --> 19:50.220 And therefore, what NATO will do is 19:50.220 --> 19:51.450 that we will provide facts, 19:51.450 --> 19:56.450 we will provide factual information about what we are doing. 19:56.620 --> 19:58.650 And that's the best way also 19:58.650 --> 20:01.810 to counter disinformation and propaganda. 20:01.810 --> 20:05.190 I will also say that every time we see disinformation, 20:05.190 --> 20:09.489 every time we see any attempts to use the situation 20:09.489 --> 20:14.290 or to spread propaganda, it highlights the importance 20:14.290 --> 20:16.080 of a free and independent press, 20:16.080 --> 20:18.810 of the work journalists are doing every day. 20:18.810 --> 20:22.030 We need people who are asking the difficult questions, 20:22.030 --> 20:26.690 who are checking their stories, checking their sources 20:26.690 --> 20:29.040 and then conveying that to the broader public. 20:29.040 --> 20:31.220 That's always important. 20:31.220 --> 20:34.553 But in many ways, information, free and independent press, 20:35.420 --> 20:38.030 is perhaps even more important in times 20:38.030 --> 20:41.800 of crisis like we are faced with now. 20:41.800 --> 20:46.040 So NATO will respond, sharing facts, being transparent, 20:46.040 --> 20:51.040 telling the truth, and then also defending the right of free 20:53.370 --> 20:56.200 and open societies to also have a free and open press, 20:56.200 --> 20:58.453 especially in times as these. 21:00.120 --> 21:03.590 I will also say that just by doing more together 21:03.590 --> 21:06.300 as we do now, providing support to each other, 21:06.300 --> 21:09.150 we demonstrate that NATO Allies stand together. 21:09.150 --> 21:11.580 And let me also add that in my annual report, 21:11.580 --> 21:15.050 which we published a couple of weeks ago, 21:15.050 --> 21:20.050 we also published numbers from an independent survey showing 21:21.500 --> 21:23.710 that there is broad support to NATO. 21:23.710 --> 21:28.640 So, yes, we have seen years of propaganda, 21:28.640 --> 21:31.660 years of disinformation, trying to undermine the unity 21:31.660 --> 21:32.880 and the strength of NATO. 21:32.880 --> 21:34.560 But the reality is that the public support 21:34.560 --> 21:37.653 to NATO across the Alliance remains strong. 21:39.200 --> 21:41.470 - [Oana Lungescu] And the next question will come 21:41.470 --> 21:45.450 from Kabul, actually, so Voice of America 21:45.450 --> 21:47.613 and Samsama Sirat, please. 21:49.680 --> 21:51.000 - Thank you very much. 21:51.000 --> 21:53.200 Thank you, Mr. Secretary General. 21:53.200 --> 21:56.703 You know, about the political crisis in Afghanistan, 21:57.871 --> 21:59.259 what do you think? 21:59.259 --> 22:01.140 Do you think it has negative effect 22:01.140 --> 22:04.083 on the intra-Afghan peace talks? 22:05.400 --> 22:10.400 - I visited Kabul recently, a couple of weeks ago, 22:11.050 --> 22:12.420 or when we signed the... 22:12.420 --> 22:14.020 Or perhaps about three weeks ago 22:14.020 --> 22:15.530 or something like that, recently. 22:15.530 --> 22:20.530 I visited Kabul when the agreement was signed 22:21.040 --> 22:24.120 in Doha between the US and Taliban, 22:24.120 --> 22:27.860 I was in Kabul at the ceremony there 22:27.860 --> 22:29.290 and I met with President Ghani, 22:29.290 --> 22:32.730 I met also Chief Executive Abdullah, 22:32.730 --> 22:34.890 they were together at the signing ceremony. 22:34.890 --> 22:36.290 And, of course, we are aware 22:36.290 --> 22:38.163 of the political crisis in Kabul. 22:39.054 --> 22:44.054 And of course, we urge the political actors in Kabul 22:45.180 --> 22:48.930 to find a solution, because we need a strong government. 22:48.930 --> 22:52.940 We need a unity approach from the Afghans 22:52.940 --> 22:57.070 in engaging with Taliban 22:58.700 --> 23:02.453 to have real peace negotiations. 23:03.290 --> 23:04.820 At the end of the day, this has to be 23:04.820 --> 23:06.010 for the Afghans to solve. 23:06.010 --> 23:08.210 We can do a lot from Brussels and Washington 23:08.210 --> 23:11.360 and London and Berlin and other NATO capitals, 23:11.360 --> 23:13.640 but at the end of the day, the Afghans have 23:13.640 --> 23:15.910 to take responsibility for their own future. 23:15.910 --> 23:18.760 And that's the reason why we so strongly support the idea 23:20.093 --> 23:24.080 and the efforts to establish intra-Afghan negotiations, 23:24.080 --> 23:27.210 an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process. 23:27.210 --> 23:30.210 We are very close to that now with the agreement. 23:30.210 --> 23:35.210 We continue to be committed to Afghanistan 23:35.890 --> 23:38.480 with financial support, with political support 23:38.480 --> 23:41.420 and with continued military presence, 23:41.420 --> 23:42.770 because we believe that the best way 23:42.770 --> 23:46.210 we can support the peace process is to send a message 23:46.210 --> 23:48.470 to the Taliban that they will never win on the battlefield, 23:48.470 --> 23:50.250 they have to sit down at the negotiating table 23:50.250 --> 23:52.040 and make real compromises. 23:52.040 --> 23:53.950 So we'll continue to do that. 23:53.950 --> 23:58.130 But at the same time, the political problems, 23:58.130 --> 24:02.040 challenges, crisis in Kabul, in Afghanistan, 24:02.040 --> 24:04.086 have to be solved by the Afghans. 24:04.086 --> 24:06.136 So therefore, we urge Afghans to do that. 24:07.530 --> 24:10.700 - [Oana Lungescu] We'll now go back to Brussels 24:10.700 --> 24:15.517 and Montenegro Television, Ivan Mijanovic. 24:17.536 --> 24:18.369 Go ahead, Ivan. 24:18.369 --> 24:19.483 - Hello, thank you very much. 24:20.330 --> 24:23.910 Montenegro recently sent a request for help 24:23.910 --> 24:26.550 from international partners. 24:26.550 --> 24:28.950 Are you going to discuss the Montenegrin demand 24:28.950 --> 24:30.193 during this meeting? 24:31.230 --> 24:34.410 And my second question would be: what are mechanisms 24:34.410 --> 24:38.100 that NATO will use in order to tackle misinformation 24:38.100 --> 24:40.127 that are linked to COVID-19, 24:40.127 --> 24:43.203 and that can put people's life in danger? 24:44.820 --> 24:45.653 Thank you. 24:45.653 --> 24:50.340 - The best response to disinformation is the truth. 24:50.340 --> 24:53.593 The best response to propaganda is fact. 24:54.772 --> 24:58.920 And that's exactly what we will provide. 24:58.920 --> 25:01.780 NATO is a transparent, open organization, 25:01.780 --> 25:03.740 we are transparent about what we do. 25:03.740 --> 25:06.520 We are transparent about how we work together 25:06.520 --> 25:09.080 with all Allies and partners. 25:09.080 --> 25:10.960 And we are also transparent about what we do 25:10.960 --> 25:14.240 in this particular situation with the COVID-19 crisis. 25:14.240 --> 25:17.160 I mentioned some examples of how NATO Allies provide help 25:17.160 --> 25:19.960 to each other, and we will continue 25:19.960 --> 25:21.610 to be transparent about everything. 25:21.610 --> 25:24.540 I also know that Allies are transparent 25:24.540 --> 25:27.650 on how they deal with the COVID-19 crisis. 25:27.650 --> 25:32.650 So facts, that's the best response to disinformation, 25:32.720 --> 25:35.420 and the fact that we are actually doing more together. 25:36.970 --> 25:40.800 And also, as I said, the free, independent press 25:40.800 --> 25:44.343 is the best way to counter propaganda and disinformation. 25:45.890 --> 25:50.437 We have several requests for Allies providing support 25:53.130 --> 25:54.048 to each other. 25:54.048 --> 25:55.700 And some of this is coordinated 25:55.700 --> 25:57.450 through the NATO Coordination, 25:57.450 --> 25:59.843 or Disaster Relief Coordination Center. 26:01.170 --> 26:03.610 And NATO Allies have already provided, 26:03.610 --> 26:06.993 for instance, with our air capabilities, help to each other. 26:07.950 --> 26:10.960 We will discuss what more we can do, based on the requests 26:10.960 --> 26:13.403 that we have seen from different Allies. 26:14.843 --> 26:18.300 We will discuss that tomorrow when foreign ministers meet. 26:18.300 --> 26:20.760 And I expect them to look into how we can provide more help 26:20.760 --> 26:24.793 and also with higher speed. 26:26.140 --> 26:28.540 The reality is that the armed forces 26:28.540 --> 26:31.010 of NATO-Allied countries have been part 26:31.010 --> 26:33.610 of the response since the very beginning. 26:33.610 --> 26:36.060 But of course, if it is possible to do more, 26:36.060 --> 26:40.300 we will look into that, including specific requests 26:40.300 --> 26:43.193 from specific nations. 26:44.070 --> 26:44.903 - [Oana Lungescu] Thank you. 26:44.903 --> 26:48.290 Now we go to Ketevan Kardava from TV-Imedi, Georgia, 26:48.290 --> 26:49.460 for the next question. 26:49.460 --> 26:50.710 Please go ahead, Ketevan. 26:51.590 --> 26:53.710 - Good morning, Mr. Secretary General. 26:53.710 --> 26:56.230 The Georgian Foreign Affairs Minister said 26:56.230 --> 27:00.590 that you had a telephone conversation and he briefed you 27:00.590 --> 27:03.580 about the measures taken by Georgian government 27:03.580 --> 27:07.660 to prevent the spread of the virus in Georgia. 27:07.660 --> 27:10.880 How would you assess these measures at this stage? 27:10.880 --> 27:15.660 And also, as we know, you discussed the additional measures 27:15.660 --> 27:17.180 to support Georgia. 27:17.180 --> 27:21.320 You have just mentioned about the future new package. 27:21.320 --> 27:23.930 Can you tell us more about this package? 27:23.930 --> 27:28.330 Can we consider it as an update of a substantial package, 27:28.330 --> 27:30.720 or it will be completely new package? 27:30.720 --> 27:31.650 Thank you very much. 27:31.650 --> 27:33.093 And again, take care. 27:34.430 --> 27:36.290 - The package I expect foreign ministers 27:36.290 --> 27:40.980 to agree tomorrow will be a kind of upgrade, 27:40.980 --> 27:44.100 will be additional measures to the packages 27:44.100 --> 27:46.743 and support we already provide to Georgia. 27:47.730 --> 27:50.150 And it's about exercises, it's about participation 27:50.150 --> 27:53.780 in different programs, training 27:53.780 --> 27:58.000 and also educational programs provided by NATO. 27:58.000 --> 28:02.350 So it shows that we step-by-step are doing more together 28:02.350 --> 28:06.570 and step-by-step NATO provides more support and help. 28:06.570 --> 28:08.780 We are, as I've stated many times before, 28:08.780 --> 28:12.170 I was extremely grateful for the help that Georgia provides 28:12.170 --> 28:15.200 to NATO, especially to our missions and operations, 28:15.200 --> 28:17.913 and in particular in Afghanistan. 28:20.110 --> 28:25.110 I spoke with the Georgian Foreign Minister a few days ago 28:26.530 --> 28:30.340 and we discussed also the efforts 28:30.340 --> 28:32.900 in the fight against COVID-19. 28:32.900 --> 28:37.900 I highlighted the role of NATO, that our core task is, 28:38.530 --> 28:42.350 of course, to provide deterrence and defense 28:42.350 --> 28:45.350 and to make sure that this health crisis doesn't develop 28:45.350 --> 28:48.200 into a security crisis. 28:48.200 --> 28:51.850 It has to be for the national authorities to make decisions 28:53.050 --> 28:56.390 on how to deal with the medical side, 28:56.390 --> 29:00.000 or the medical response, the health response 29:00.000 --> 29:03.000 to the COVID-19 crisis. 29:03.000 --> 29:07.256 So I cannot assess exactly what Georgia is doing 29:07.256 --> 29:11.233 in the health domain, but I just highlight the importance 29:11.233 --> 29:15.170 that we all do as much as we can, 29:15.170 --> 29:16.620 because this is a common challenge 29:16.620 --> 29:19.550 that requires a common response. 29:19.550 --> 29:22.330 And of course, the World Health Organization provides a lot 29:22.330 --> 29:25.753 of important advice and guidance 29:29.400 --> 29:32.000 when it comes to how different nations should respond 29:32.000 --> 29:33.893 to the COVID-19 crisis. 29:36.670 --> 29:38.620 - [Oana Lungescu] Thank you very much. 29:38.620 --> 29:41.710 This will conclude this press conference. 29:41.710 --> 29:44.970 So, Secretary General, over to you. 29:44.970 --> 29:46.340 - Thank you so much for joining me 29:46.340 --> 29:50.210 at this virtual press conference. 29:50.210 --> 29:54.260 And stay healthy, stay safe and looking forward 29:54.260 --> 29:55.970 to see you again soon. 29:55.970 --> 29:56.803 Thank you.