08:14For centuries, the Dutch have battled water, as generations stood, united against this
08:21force.
08:22Because safety isn't a given.
08:24It's something you build.
08:26Together, in 1949, we stood at the cradle of NATO, bound by the belief that peace is protected
08:34through unity and strength.
08:36Since then, NATO has shielded us, sparing three Dutch generations, the horrors of war.
08:45As the Dutch unite against the sea, NATO allies unite to share the burden of defense and security.
08:51With deeper commitments and collaboration, we stand even stronger.
08:58Backed by partners around the world, 32 nations stand as one.
09:02We stand firm against our foes, on land, at sea, in the skies, in space and cyberspace.
09:12Peace is our purpose, peace is our purpose, deterrence, our shield, readiness, our promise.
09:19NATO is not just about nations.
09:21It's about people, leaders, soldiers, citizens, each playing their part to protect the life we've built for ourselves and future generations.
09:32NATO.
09:33NATO.
09:34Security through strength.
09:35NATO.
09:36NATO.
09:37NATO.
09:38NATO.
09:39NATO.
09:40NATO.
09:41NATO.
09:42NATO.
09:43NATO.
09:44NATO.
09:45NATO.
09:46NATO.
09:47So, good morning.
09:48Good morning to you all, and welcome to this leader's session of the North Atlantic Council.
09:55We meet at a dangerous moment for our one billion citizens.
10:00Russia's war against Ukraine rages on.
10:03An assertive grouping of adversaries seeks to divide and challenge us.
10:09There's war in the Middle East.
10:11Terrorism poses a persistent threat.
10:13And new technologies bring opportunities, but also many serious security challenges.
10:20In the face of this, we stand together, united in NATO.
10:25The most powerful defensive alliance in world history.
10:29History has shown that North America and Europe working together is a winning combination.
10:35Our adversaries know this.
10:38Our enduring commitment to Article 5 that an attack on one is an attack on all sends a powerful message.
10:45In this meeting, we will take historic, transformational decisions to make our people safer through a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO.
10:58To make NATO stronger, we have a concrete plan for all allies to spend 5% of GDP on defense.
11:04It will go towards core defense as well as defense and security related investments.
11:10This decision is deeply rooted in our core mission and is required to resource our plans and readiness.
11:18This will also make NATO fairer to ensure anyone and everyone contributes their fair share for our security.
11:27For too long, one ally, the United States, carried too much of the burden of that commitment.
11:34And that changes today.
11:37President Trump, dear Donald, you made this change possible.
11:42Your leadership on this has already produced $1 trillion in extra spending from European allies since 2016.
11:50And the decisions today will produce trillions more for our common defense to make us stronger and fairer by equalizing spending between America and America's allies.
12:03Allies will also agree to further increase defense production so that our armed forces have everything they need.
12:10That means a huge expansion of our defense industrial base on both sides of the Atlantic.
12:16That's good for our security, it's good for our economies and good for our jobs.
12:22Our decisions include continuing our support to Ukraine, while also pushing for a just and lasting peace.
12:29We all want the bloodshed to stop.
12:32We call on Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine.
12:37Let me now turn to Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, whose government and people are graciously hosting us here.
12:45Thank you to the media for joining us.
12:47We will continue our discussions in just a moment.
12:50But first, and with the media here, please, Dick Schoof, your introductory remarks.
12:55Thank you, Mark.
12:57Colleagues, friends, allies, on behalf of the Dutch government, welcome to The Hague.
13:04This is the NATO summit, the first NATO summit ever to be held in the Netherlands.
13:11And we are honored to have you here in this city.
13:14It has been speaking in the language of peace and justice ever since the first Hague peace conference was held in 1899.
13:21I am convinced that after today, The Hague will also be known as the city of collective purpose, unity and resolve.
13:30After all, we are about to write history.
13:33We are about to make decisions leading to an unprecedented increase in our collective defence spending and a new financial balance in our alliance.
13:42Both are urgent. Both are necessary. And both will help make our transatlantic bond even stronger.
13:51So we can do justice to our founding principles of democracy, liberty and the rule of law, as laid down in the Washington Treaty.
14:01The last NATO event held in The Hague was a foreign minister meeting in 1989, just as the Iron Curtain was beginning to break apart on the eve of the Cold War's end.
14:14And for a period, we hoped and believed that relations with Russia would continue to thaw.
14:21But the end of history turned out to be an illusion. An illusion that was shattered for good when Russia brutally invaded Ukraine.
14:33So today, there is a renewed awareness in our ranks that peace cannot be taken for granted.
14:40That it must be protected, constantly, and with conviction. And yes, peace comes at a cost.
14:47We must act on this swiftly and decisively. So let's stand united and embrace The Hague Defence Investment Plan.
14:57Let's go to work and write that history today. Thank you.
15:09So, thank you for the media for joining us. But in the spirit of democracy, I have to ask you to leave your room now. Thank you.
