Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cabo Verde, José Ulisses Correia e Silva

Prime Minister Correia e Silva,
Dear Ulisses,

Welcome to NATO HQ, it is really a pleasure to have you here. And I very much appreciate the meeting we just had, where we discussed how to further develop the cooperation between NATO and your country.

NATO and Cabo Verde share the same values. Of freedom, democracy, and human rights.

You already have a close relationship with many Allies, including Portugal.
And last year you signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States to increase defence cooperation and maritime security.

In 2006, Cabo Verde hosted the NATO exercise Steadfast Jaguar.

This major exercise involving more than 7,000 troops tested the ability of NATO's rapid response force to carry out missions anywhere at any time.

Today, we discussed Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine.
And ways to increase our cooperation in a more dangerous and competitive world.

I welcome Cabo Verde's clear stance on Ukraine.
Including through your votes at the UN General Assembly.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine,
instability in the Middle East,
and the ongoing threat of terrorism,
remind us of our security, that our security is not regional.
It is global.

What happens in Europe matters for Africa,
And what happens in Africa, matters for Europe.

So NATO is stepping up our cooperation with our partners to defend our values and the rules-based international order.

NATO already has partners in North Africa.
And we are strengthening our cooperation with the African Union.
To address common challenges, including terrorism, climate change, and small arms proliferation.

So thank you, Prime Minister, for your personal leadership.
It is good to see you here.
And I hope to welcome you back in Brussels again soon.

Please, prime minister, you have the floor.

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