On 1 October 2024, Mark Rutte officially assumed the role of NATO Secretary General, taking over from Jens Stoltenberg, who completed a decade in the position.
During a formal ceremony at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Rutte was welcomed by Stoltenberg, and together they laid a wreath at the NATO Memorial to the Fallen, marking the transition of leadership.
At a special session of the North Atlantic Council, Stoltenberg formally handed over the reins to Rutte. “It is a great honour to be here and to take up the position of NATO Secretary General,” Rutte said, expressing his gratitude to NATO Allies for the trust placed in him to guide the Alliance through the coming years.
Rutte outlined three key priorities for his term. “The first is to keep NATO strong and ensure our defences remain effective and credible against all threats,” he stated.
His second priority is to increase NATO’s support for Ukraine, emphasising that “there can be no lasting security in Europe without a strong, independent Ukraine.” His third priority is to “strengthen our partnerships” in an increasingly interconnected world.
Rutte paid tribute to his predecessor, praising Stoltenberg’s leadership, saying, “Today NATO is bigger, NATO is stronger, and is more united than ever, that is in large part because of your leadership.”
In his farewell address, Stoltenberg commended Rutte’s pragmatism and consensus-building abilities, while highlighting Rutte’s dedication to NATO’s core values. “You don’t compromise on our values and principles,” Stoltenberg noted, adding that Rutte’s unwavering support for Ukraine and commitment to the transatlantic bond would be instrumental in his leadership.
The handover was marked by the ceremonial passing of an historic gavel, symbolising the start of Rutte’s tenure as NATO’s Secretary General.
Still believe Big Ben would have been the ideal candidate to render Mad Vlad the traditional one finger salute. 🖕