NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday (9 July 2025), thanking him for Germany's leading role in the Alliance, and its support to Ukraine.
Mr Rutte commended Germany's resolve, commitment and contributions to our shared security, and its landmark decision to invest significantly more in defence. Highlighting the importance of Germany's defence industrial base, he said, "your world-class industries and entrepreneurs are capable to ramp up production, innovate and deliver".
At a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of Germany's accession to NATO, the Secretary General thanked Germany for its contributions to the Alliance. Speaking in German, and echoing the words of Germany's first Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, Mr Rutte recognised that Germany continues to be an "able and reliable" Ally, ready to take on more responsibility. "When the world becomes more dangerous, and our security is at stake - Germany steps up," Mr Rutte said.
While in Berlin, Mr Rutte also met President of the Bundestag Julia Klöckner, Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul, parliamentarians from the Defence Committee, and Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius, who hosted the 70th anniversary event at the Ministry of Defence.
