NATO chief praises Germany for contributions to alliance security

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday praised Germany for its contributions to the alliance's security, saying Germany was "at the heart of Europe and of the NATO alliance."

Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, Stoltenberg said Germany had made "outstanding contributions" to NATO operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo, according to the NATO press release.

"You play a major role in our Baltic air policing mission, and you also have a lead role in our new high-readiness joint task force, and Germany was key in establishing our presence in the Aegean Sea in coping with the migrant and refugee crisis," he said.

Stoltenberg welcomed Germany's decision to boost the size of its armed forces, and to increase defense spending. "This is a clear demonstration of Germany's leadership at a time when we are facing the biggest security challenges in a generation," Stoltenberg added.

He stressed NATO was responding to a more dangerous and challenging security environment. "We are responding by increasing the readiness of our forces and by enhancing our presence in the eastern part of the alliance," he said.

Stoltenberg said NATO would take steps at its Warsaw Summit in July to enhance its presence in eastern Europe with several reinforced battalions. Endit