NATO to extend Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s term

WORLD, April 01 (YPA) – Western sources have revealed talks in NATO about the possibility of extending the term of the alliance’s current secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, which is due to expire in September.

“Novosti” news agency quoted an informed source saying,”  NATO is moving to extend the term of the current secretary-general, given that the main members of the alliance evaluate its work and the approach it has taken in its relationship with the Ukrainian crisis positively.”

Stoltenberg was supposed to leave office on October 1, 2022, but in March of the same year, NATO leaders decided to extend his mandate until September 30, 2023.

Last December, the Secretary-General himself stated that he had no plans to extend the mandate and that he was focused on the work until the end of September 2023.

Later, Politico reported, citing EU and NATO diplomats, that Stoltenberg “wishes to continue his duties at the helm of the alliance.”

The British newspaper “The Sun” reported that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen may take over as NATO Secretary-General in October.

The sources pointed out that although von der Leyen’s powers as president of the European Commission expire next year, some countries have suggested that she heads the alliance after the departure of current Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

E.M