We must continue to strengthen that community and reach out to likeminded partners across the globe. We should reinvigorate our economies by enhancing economic ties. More trade. More mutual investments. I welcome the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and canada, and i hope to of a rapid conclusion negotiations on the transatlantic trade and Investment Partnership between the European Union and the United States. Freer trade and greater investments will create jobs and set a strong example for others stronger, and a Economic Partnership will boost our ability to protect and promote an international rulesbased organization, whose benefits we all enjoy. We should strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the European Union and nato. We share 22 members. We share a positive vision of a europe whole, free, and at typicalut we also share neighborhoods, so we should work even more closely together to deal with those threats and to protect stability. New members into nato and the European Union, we ce, prosperity, and progress across this continent. We are actually supporting our partners in europe to choose their own path. Door openep natos for new members. We continue to help partners to theythrough that door, if so wish, and if they make the and no thirdorms, country can have a veto. Our shared vision of a europe and at peace cannot without the situation in the balkans. Montenegro could be a next step. That is why our door must and will stay open. The United States and europe are Core Partners and allies, but this is not an exclusive club. Should continue to reach out to likeminded partners across. He globe a strong goal stronger Global Community will help us promote freedom, democracy, free trade, and a rulesbased world order. That forcese values of oppression violently oppose. By working together, the world free societies can better preserve and bolster our core values. Theuse to preserve rulesbased global order and our way of life, the forces of freedom, quatrain should, and rnity must and mode triumph over destruction. Third, we must strengthen our engagement in world security. Stand up for our fundamental. Articles and values defend the rulesbased International Order. For decades, the world has profited from a liberal International Order, a cooperative order of states, serving and rul rules, and renouncing territorial conquest. Order that can manage the peaceful rise of new powers, a liberal International Order that has facilitated , progress, and prosperity. We, the citizens of free greaters, need to show self confidence in our own values, principles, and way of life. Of course, our societies are not perfect, but freedom and opportunities for each resources have kept and unleashed innovation. Choose your own way of life stimulates creativity and energy. The freedom to pose critical questions about established items insurers progress, renewal, and development progress, renewal, and development. It contributes to a more open society and a more efficient and transparent government. These values and principles now coming under pressure from forces of oppression. Forces of oppression that want to limit the liberal democracy and trample the liberal International Order. Recent events showed only to tooling show only clearly that peace cannot be taken for granted. It is for us to stand up for freedom and defend our freedom. Ablee have to be willing and to use both soft and hard power to protect and promote our values. However, as we approach the end of over a decade of combat operations in afghanistan, we. Ee pressures to turn inward [no audio] prepared. We must not only develop the capabilities we need, we must demonstrate the political will to use them when required, so i welcome the important by the United States and other allies and partners to act against the socalled Islamic State. We have seen again and again that crisis breeds crisis. Force is still a factor. And if we fail to defend Freedom Forces ofacy, oppression will seize their opportunity. We have seen again and again that appeasement does not lead to peace. It just insights tyrants. Failure to counter will invite further oppression. Lesson of the 20th century, a lesson we must never forget. While military action remains , we must be able to resort to it when we need to, not to wage war, but to build peace. Gentlemen, i am very proud to have served this unique alliance. Only permanent framework where 28 democracies of north america and europe consult, decide, and act every day to ensure our collective security. After 20 years of challenging operations, we have the most capable and connected forces in history, and we are at the center of a wide network of security partnerships with countries and organizations across the globe. This is a challenging time, a time when our values and our will are being tested. Challenge,e to the resist the pressures to retrench, and remain resolute. Year, we have seen why we need nato. Why question is no longer nato . The question is now about more nato. We have set out a clear course. We need to pursue that course to reinforce the rulesbased International Order and remain united today and in the years to come. We must preserve our freedom, protect our people, and promote our values. Thank you. [applause] thank you very much, mr. Secretarygeneral, and, first of all, i want to thank jan. It has been a pleasure working with you for the last five years in brussels. Sadly, we are losing you, but thankfully, we will have another scandinavian. With current and recent events. You set any remarks that the threat posed by the Islamic State requires a response. Some say the west is reacting precipitously because of some rather sensational images of americans and british being. Illed i wonder if you can address not going perhaps, isis, russiaowards beingraine rather risk distracted by this. First, i think it is fair to ihat the rise of isis do not want to call it the Islamic State, because it is not a state the rise of this terrorist organization has become obvious during the last month, i would say. I think this is the reason why the International Community takes action now. Of course, the despicable acts, the murder, not only of three westerners but actually thousands of people in iraq and , adds to and syria this picture. The efforts to establish a and i also think it build atant to coalition that includes regional powers, regional countries, and it takes some time, so i think that explains why it is now that we take action. Next question. Can all the efforts against isis detract attention from what is in the east . Definitely not. We are able to handle the broad range of security challenges whether they are seen to the ward to the south, and that is actually one of the very important conclusions whether they are seen to the east or to the south, and that is actually one of the very important conclusions. Ability top our address the broad range of security challenges, so we will not lose sight of what is going on in the east. This issue of whether isis presents a threat. Said rather definitively one of the things you cited was the foreign fighter issue, where others are going to the region. Is that the greatest risk this crisis poses, both in europe and in the u. S. . Of course, the issue of foreign fighters returning to our countries is a very erect threat, a very direct and we have to address that. We decided at the whales a summit that we will strengthen our intelligence sharing at ummit that we will strengthen our intelligence sharing and more. It will have an impact on the and this is aty, reason for nato allies to take action and try to create an International Coalition to counter isis. Carnegie havend questions or from twitter, and i will pick up couple that are relevant to our conversation. There is a Senior Research fellow in israel, and it goes to this issue. What is natos role in an antiisis coalition . So far, it has stayed on the sidelines. Why so . All, actually, this goes beyond nature. Beyond nato. Countries froms the region. So this actually goes beyond nato. Secondly, we have not received toy requests for a na involvement. Summit, we the wales determined activities that could be relevant for a nato firstly, we declared that if we receive a request from the we stand government, ready to consider defense Capacity Building, which, for instance, could involve our activities in iraqi. We had a Training Mission in iraq until 2011. That is if the Iraqi Government requested. Second, nato can help coordinate, and we can help counter the threat of foreign fighters returning to our countries. Point two, the nato as for the nader, the command and control capability with multiple allies. Nato command and but is a global threat. So far, we have not received any involvement. Nato situation military involving libya eventually became a nato item. Theseill throw in some of twitter questions as be continue. As we continue. You said appeasement does not lead to peace. I will ask you about russia. What we have seen over the last somethingriday, pertaining to the trade deal. Foreignhe e. U. Ministers suspending or maybe sanctions. There is an unwillingness to do more aggressive military operations against the russian threat. We do not accept a new conflict in eastern europe. Of course, we should do all we can to encourage a peaceful , but,on to this conflict actually, to be very honest with you, my concern is that it is in russias interests to have conflict in the region. The longterm position of russia is to reestablish a strong russian influence in its near neighborhood. Countries prohibit them in some ways, and it is in keepas interest to protracted conflict in some areas, and now crimea and Eastern Ukraine and ukraine, and we should never accept that. You have argued in very stark language in your address the russia, the by violation they have done to any number of agreements. Isis, you advocate military involvement, but for russia whether you advocate military assistance, with heavy weaponry assistance to ukraine why are you advocating military intervention for isis but not help for ukraine militarily when in your rhetoric, you seem to be worried about both of them . The firstly, while it is clear that russia has violated all of its International Commitments and has conducted illegal military actions in i do not think russia poses an imminent threat to nato allies for the very reason that russia knows that we have something in our nato treaty that protects any ally from an attack. An attack on an ally would be an , and that is whole why i think russia does not pose an imminent threat to allies. However, to keep our deterrents credible, we have taken steps, as you know, to reinforce our collective defense, and for ukraine, we do believe that the a politicalrward is solution, and while it is clear that russia has violated International Norms and rules, i still think russia would be capable to negotiate if they decide to do so. When we are speaking about isis, this is a group of terrorists, with whom there is no chance whatsoever to find any political solution. Furthermore, as i have argued, i think this terrorist group poses a threat not only to iraq but also to the world, and that is why i am in favor of taking military action against isis. We have you very much. About 30 minutes for q a. The firstly, while it is i have been told that the people arehe balcony, you, too, able to participate. Lets start on the floor, the gentleman here, and please wait for the microphone. Mr. Secretarygeneral, my and i am from the palestine jordan area. About nato, it was during the strikes against libya to restore democracy in libya, and two years later, it is destroyed, as afghanistan and iraq. Some speak of yemen, sudan. Do you think if youre going to warrvene militarily to make against this socalled islamic iste, dont you think that going to affect lebanon, jordan, and others . Second question, mr. Secretarygeneral quickly, please. The main reason for istability in the area because the International Community did not find a solution to the israelipalestinian conflict, and it is the israeliarab conflict. Dont you think that if nato and states exert pressures against israel, King Abdullah of saudi arabia countriesy all arab dont you think that is going to stop these terrorists . Dont you think it is better to invest in the development of these countries . Military action in the middle east threatening destabilizing the area . Of course, the first question and very good question, there are some historical examples. Wake of a military operation, we have seen instability, violence, maybe even failed states, but, first, have tress that we allies have received a request from the Iraqi Government to assist the government in the fight against this terrorist organization, and i think we have a responsibility to help the Iraqi Government avoid aexactly to new failed states. State. Having said that, there are lessons to be learned from previous military operations. Case, i thinkery they were necessary and legitimate. I think the International Community should learn it is about utmost importance to strengthen efforts after military operations to, to help these societies improve their to establish security and good governance. As an example, after 40 years of dictatorship, the new authorities had to start from scratch. Retrospectively, i think the International Community as such did too little too late to help the authorities in libya build a new nation. Greatto operation was a success. We implemented the you and security mandate 100 . We prevented attacks against the libyan people, so we did what we were mandated to do. But when we had finished the military operation, i think, retrospectively, that the International Community, led by the u. N. Shouldve done much more much faster to help the authorities. And that is one of the important lessons to be learned, that military operations should go hand with civilian efforts, to follow up to establish or to build a new nation after such a military operation. But i have to say this goes beyond natos capability. Alliance, soitary it is for the broad International Community to follow up in such cases. Of course, i can only agree that settlements of the israelipalestinian conflict would solve many problems. Absolutely. I fully agree, and without going into too many details, i think that the longterm Sustainable Solutions is to see two states living side by side in peace and harmony and within secure borders. I still see this as the right formula for a longterm, sustainable solution to the israelipalestinian conflict. Go to the other side, from reuters. Could i ask you how long it would take an independent scotland to join nato, and whether you believe that nato will undermine britain will undermine natos defenses . I am not goingl to interfere with the Referendum Campaign in scotland. Is thecan tell you following state wantsependent to become a member of nato, it will have to apply for membership of nato. In such an application will be addressed in exactly the same areas all applications dealt with. And eventually, it will require consensus, unanimity, within the alliance to accept a new member of our alliance. Discussed this at il within our alliance, and am not in a position to say anything about timelines. As you know, from history, timelines differ significantly when it comes to applicants, towardss roads membership of nato, and abilityy it is on their to fulfill the necessary criteria. Actually, the answer is that i cannot say anything about timelines. On the issue of whether scotland i independence would undermine feasibility of nato membership . Any concerns about that . Without interfering with the debate leading up to the thatendum, i do not see any outcome of the Scottish Referendum will have an impact on u. K. s contribution to nato. Im a correspondent for when you had this operation in frequentu spoke about which under these conditions, you are to be the operation. The request from the libyan authorities, and i think the u. N. Mandate. And under which conditions are you going to lead these International Coalitions in iraq . Is it something for the future . Just to throw one in from twitter, saying almost the same thing. [indiscernible] once again let me stress, we are not considering a nato role or even a nato leading role in this operation. Arember of nato allies forming a coalition that also includes countries from the region. So to avoid any misunderstanding, let me stress that we are not in a process of engaging nato as such in military strikes against isis. I pointed out that at the summit we mentioned three possibilities of nato involvement. Firstly, defense Capacity Building in iraq, if requested. Secondly, a coordinating role. Strengthen cooperation on intelligence and information sharing among allies to counter foreign fighters. Quite rest of it is hypothetical because we have not natoved any requests for involvement. But nato allies are involved, and i really welcome that. Added the question mandate, when individual allies engaged in this. Will they meet a yo u. N. Mandate . Im not a legal expert, but i see it the following way. Orrificmmits h atrocities, and witnessing there, attacks within religious an