The open dialogue between NATO and industry will be essential, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told the NATO Industry Forum 2025, taking place in Bucharest on Thursday.
The Forum gathers 900 participates, includes 300 events and has been described by Rutte as one of the biggest events of the kind.
"You, the business industry and executives in this room, are the industrial component of our deterrence and defence," he told those attending.
He underscored the power of innovation in the area. "We live in free societies, where your creativity can thrive," the NATO Secretary General detailed.
At the same time, he told the defence industry representatives he understands the risks they take on, mentioning the long-term contracts signed by governments. The political will and the money is there, Rutte said, adding that he has talks with allied leaders in this respect.
About Romania, he praised the fact that the country is stepping up in terms of defence spending, along with the other allies, "(...) including Romania, indeed, which has plans to increase defence spending to 3.5 per cent by 2030."
Referring to the alliance's defence and deterrence role, he underscored the peace through strength concept.
"NATO will do its part, and we need industry to do yours," the told the audience.
The NATO head also spoke about security in the near future.
"Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine is the most obvious example of the threat. But the danger posed by Russia will not end when this war does. For the foreseeable future, Russia will remain a destabilising force in Europe and the world. And Russia is not alone in these efforts to undermine the global rules," Mark Rutte added and underscored that the alliance must be prepared for a long-term confrontation.
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