Stoltenberg asserted that NATO faces a new threat.

“There is no Cold War, but neither do we have a strategic partnership with Russia,” Stoltenberg said when he met the press after his speech to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA).

The relationship with Russia was one of the main reasons Stoltenberg urged NATO parliamentarians to allocate more money for defence investments.

Parliamentarians have an important role

Before Stoltenberg came to the podium, NATO PA President Michael Turner welcomed the Secretary General to the assembly. Turner thanked Stoltenberg for the respect and candour he has shown to the NATO PA. Stoltenberg emphasised in his speech that parliamentarians play an important role in defence and security policy. They contribute to transparency and democratization in this complex policy area.

Stoltenberg’s message was clear

The Norwegian delegates, Linda C. Hofstad Helleland (H) and Rigmor Aasrud (Ap), characterized Stoltenberg’s remarks as extremely clear. They described the speech as a strong reminder of the security challenges NATO faces, especially with regard to Russia.

“The terrorist attack in Ankara last week illustrates how many different types of challenges there are,” said Aasrud.

She stressed that NATO’s member countries must stand together. The alliance needs therefore to become even more modern and efficient, she added.

“Stoltenberg had a clear message about the necessity of joint armament increases within NATO,” said Helleland, and pointed out that the Norwegian Storting, or Parliament, was praised for its increased funding for defence.

Deterrence, Russia and instability to the south

In his speech, Stoltenberg highlighted three main challenges for NATO.

“In recent years NATO has carried out the largest reorganization since the Cold War,” said Stoltenberg. “We have for instance doubled the size of the NATO Response Force.”

Even still, he said, there is a need to further modernize and strengthen NATO’s capability to deter aggression. That is especially the case in relations with Russia.

“Only a strong NATO can have a constructive relationship with Russia,” Stoltenberg said.

When dealing with Russia there is no contradiction between being strong and being in dialogue, Stoltenberg added, noting that NATO must get Russia to understand that it has more to gain from cooperating with the West than from opposing it.

“Democratization to the south of NATO is in NATO’s interest,” Stoltenberg said.

Instability in the Middle East and North Africa is a genuine security threat to NATO. That is why NATO assists countries in that region, Stoltenberg said.

NATO will protect allies

The Secretary General had allotted plenty of time for questions from the parliamentarians. Their questions were complex and varied. Stoltenberg pointed out that NATO is not a global police force, but a defensive alliance established to protect its members.

Stoltenberg also made clear that the conflicts in both Syria and Ukraine require a political solution.

“Resolution of these conflicts are a matter of political and diplomatic dialogue,” said Stoltenberg.

Russia’s military operations in Syria are not helping to resolve the conflict, but are making it worse, he said. Stoltenberg underscored that the NATO alliance as such has no plans to enter into Syria, but that it supports the US-led operation.

The refugee crisis was discussed as well. Stoltenberg said the crisis is not new, as some observers seem to think. The refugee crisis has existed for many years, he said; what is new is that the refugees are now coming to Europe.