Jens Stoltenberg is concerned about the events in Karabakh and calls on NATO to increase military spending

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed concerned about the incidents and the escalation of violence in Nagorno-Karabakh. He stated this on Monday at a meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in The Hague.

"I am concerned about the recent incidents and violence in Nagorno-Karabakh. It emphasizes that there is no military solution to the conflict," said Stoltenberg. According to him, "there is no alternative to a political solution." "I do not see any direct role for NATO, but NATO supports the Minsk process to create the conditions for a sustainable peaceful solution through negotiations in Nagorno-Karabakh," quotes the Secretary General of NATO website.

According to the same source, Stoltenberg said that the door for Ukraine to join NATO is still open.

"I remember that at the Bucharest Summit we agreed that Ukraine will become a member. This decision will be  valid, if Ukraine  fulfills the criteria for membership," he said.

The Alliance’s Secretary General also urged members to increase defense spending in light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and defiance of Moscow towards the West as a whole, "All allies (NATO) have to contribute their share," said the Secretary General. He recalled that at the summit in Wales NATO members decided to increase up to 2% of GDP, defense spending in 10 years. According to him. United States, United Kingdom, Greece and Estonia are already performing this call. "I expect all of us achieve this goal," he said.

On September 5 the NATO member states at the summit in Wales adopted a plan to strengthen collective defense alliance and agreed on the parameters created a rapid reaction force. It was emphasized that these steps have been made in response to Russia's policy towards Ukraine. -02D-

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