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NATO chief marks 60 years of Germany's NATO membership

Xinhua, June 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday spoke of Germany's role as "an anchor of stability at the centre of NATO" at a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of Germany's accession to NATO.

According to the press release issued by the NATO headquarters, Stoltenberg made the speech in Berlin while addressing an audience at the German Foreign Ministry. He said Germany's accession to the Alliance cemented the nation's role.

"The stories of Germany and of NATO are forever linked, and they are stories of success," the Secretary General said. "Germany and the Alliance need each other: to defend our values, to keep our nations safe, and to protect peace in Europe and the world."

He asked Germany to increase defense spending, saying that "German leadership on investing in defense, and on our modernizing our defense capabilities, is crucial for our Alliance and also for the EU."

The Secretary General's agenda in Berlin also includes talks with Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaueble. Endit