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NATO to take decisions on strengthening security in eastern flank: Polish President

Xinhua, July 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

NATO will show its unity and take some concrete decisions, strengthening the security where it is most needed, especially in its southern and eastern flank, Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Thursday.

Speaking a day prior to the NATO summit, Duda met with the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg. During the press conference held after the meeting, Duda said: "The Alliance is about unity. Therefore, the safety of each and every member is equally crucial."

"NATO will show its unity, show that there is mutual understanding and solidarity towards all matters. The rule 'one for all, all for one' is still valid," he added.

He underlined NATO's role was to "bring and maintain peace", saying NATO can perform its tasks well, adequately to the changing circumstances and security environment.

"The Alliance has to and will take up specific decisions increasing the security where it is most needed. Today, it is mostly here, at the eastern flank of NATO and in the south. These two elements of decisions are most vital and they will also be a crucial point of discussion," Duda stated.

NATO is increasing its presence in Poland and Baltic countries with four international battalions and can increase these forces if needed," Stoltenberg said. "It is a clear signal that the Alliance is ready to protect any part of its territory," he said, adding it is just one of the elements of the NATO's multidimensional response.

"Our message is an attack on one of the allies is an attack on all of them," Stoltenberg said.

He also pointed out the challenges ahead of the NATO, saying it would have to face the risks and threats in the south, increase its resistance to cyber war risk and try to bring its cooperation with the EU on a higher level.

Duda and Stoltenberg announced that high-level meetings with Russia will be possible once both sides are ready.

The plenary talks included Polish Minister of National Defense Antoni Macierewicz, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski and the head of National Security Bureau Pawel Soloch.

After the meeting, NATO Deputy General Secretary Alexander Vershbow received honorary distinction from the Polish president.

The NATO summit will begin in Warsaw on July 8 with leaders from 28 member countries in attendance. Enditem