BRUSSELS: The NATO alliance confirmed on Sunday (Feb 12) that its long-serving chief would leave office in October, launching a new round of speculation about his successor. Diplomats in Brussels say there is no consensus as to who should replace former Norwegian prime minister Jens Stoltenberg as the West
BRUSSELS: The NATO alliance confirmed on Sunday that its long-serving chief would leave office in October, launching a new round of speculation about his successor.
"The mandate of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has been extended three times and he has served for a total of almost nine years," spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said. And although the daily job is one of coordination and seeking consensus among the 30 allies, the choice itself will be seen as symbolic of NATO's direction.The last time Stoltenberg's future was in question - in February 2022, when he was named future head of the Norwegian central bank, only later to withdraw - speculation focused on women.
Poland and the Baltic nations now see their longstanding warnings about Moscow as justified, and they have led calls to arm and support Ukraine against the invasion. More cynical observers, including some NATO officials, suggest that Kallas has proved too successful an advocate of the eastern position, triggering resentment in western capitals.No official candidacies have been announced, but diplomats in Brussels suggested that the Netherlands would tout its defence minister, Kajsa Ollongren.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nato set to extend chief Stoltenberg's term to April 2024The Norwegian has been Nato's chief since 2014. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Russia says NATO should hold emergency summit over Nord Stream blastsNATO should hold an emergency meeting to discuss recent findings about September explosions at the Nord Stream gas pipelines, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said late on Saturday (Feb 11). Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1970, said in a blog post o
Read more »
Apple to defend mobile payment system at Feb. 14 EU hearing, sources sayBRUSSELS : Apple Inc will seek to convince EU antitrust regulators that it does not block rivals' access to its technology used for mobile wallets at a closed hearing on Tuesday, people familiar with the matter said, the last chance for it to do so before possible hefty fines.The hearing, which senior Eur
Read more »
European telecoms' advertising venture against Big Tech wins EU antitrust nodBRUSSELS : Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone on Friday secured unconditional EU antitrust approval for their advertising joint venture to take on Big Tech.'The transaction, as notified, would not significantly reduce competition in French, German, Italian and Spanish markets,' the European
Read more »
Belgian lawmaker charged in EU graft probeBRUSSELS: Prosecutors on Saturday (Feb 11) charged a Belgian lawmaker in the European parliament with corruption after searching his bank safe as part of a probe into a bribery scandal linked to Qatar that has rocked the EU. The Socialist deputy Marc Tarabella, 59, was detained by police on Friday after Be
Read more »
Cyclone Gabrielle batters Australia's Norfolk Island on way to New ZealandAuckland Emergency Management has warned the city is likely to be hit by strong winds on Sunday night. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »