The 75th anniversary of the treaty organization was celebrated at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday with a ceremony and a birthday cake, presented by Belgium as host country. “In the beginning we had twelve members, now there are 32. So we are doing something right,” the alliance’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said at the ceremony.
“Two world wars, the Cold War and every challenge we have faced since have taught us that we need each other,” said the NATO chief, whose mandate expires this year. According to him, North America and Europe are stronger and safer when they are united.
Europe needs North America for security, Stoltenberg said. “At the same time, North America also needs Europe.” He said European allies have “world-class militaries, vast intelligence networks and unique diplomatic influence that multiply America’s power.”
That message also seemed to be addressed to former American President Donald Trump. The Republican, who is seeking a new mandate as president this year, often criticized NATO during his presidency. He also lashed out at member states that do not spend enough on their defense.
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For the anniversary ceremony, official NATO documents from the United States were transferred to the Brussels headquarters. This included the original North Atlantic Treaty or the Washington Treaty. On April 4, 1949, 12 countries, including Belgium, signed that document, establishing the treaty organization. The US is the custodian of that treaty.
Iron Curtain
It’s not just NATO that is blowing out birthday candles this year. Several countries are also celebrating the 25th, 20th or 15th anniversary of their membership. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the various Member States gave a short speech on Thursday morning. Some ministers of Eastern European member states referred to their past on the other side of the Iron Curtain, under communist Soviet rule.
In concrete terms, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland have now been part of the treaty organization for 25 years. Twenty years ago, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia joined. Albania and Croatia have been members for 15 years.
“Safer than ever”
During the ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib (MR) praised the treaty organization, which she said is “stronger and safer than ever”. “Together we work to avoid conflict and keep peace for 1 billion people,” he said. According to her, NATO’s strength lies in the fact that despite differences, member states “are always able to unite around our core mission: protecting each other and keeping our people safe.”
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Lahbib was the last minister to speak. After her speech, she cut the birthday cake together with the Secretary General of NATO.
Before the ceremony, Stoltenberg, together with leading NATO Admiral Rob Bauer, laid a floral wreath on the memorial stone in front of the headquarters. NATO thus commemorates “those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” according to the Secretary General.