The Secretary General highlighted the important decisions to be taken at Madrid in five key areas, including the approval of NATO's new Strategic Concept, strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence, continued Allied support to Ukraine and other partners at risk, improving burden-sharing, and addressing Finland and Sweden's historic applications for NATO membership.

The Secretary General also praised the Czech Republic's commitments to NATO. "The Czech Republic is a committed NATO Ally, making valuable contributions to our shared security," NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said. "In response to Russia's brutal war on Ukraine, you have stepped up to protect other NATO Allies, and to support Ukraine. The Czech Republic has provided significant military equipment to Ukraine, including tanks, helicopters and rocket systems; and you host hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees," the Secretary General added. "You also lead NATO's new battlegroup in Slovakia, helping to deter any aggression against our Allies, and you contribute forces to our battlegroups in Latvia and in Lithuania; you are leading by example when it comes to countering chemical, biological and nuclear threats," he highlighted.

Read the Secretary General's full statement