Pres. Biden Awards Sec. General Stoltenberg With The Presidential Medal Of Freedom At NATO Summit

3 months ago

President Joe Biden concluded his remarks at the 2024 NATO Summit by awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

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Transcript

00:00Now, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to end my remarks in a slightly unusual way.

00:06NATO is an alliance of nations, but also made up of leaders. And one person in particular

00:13has done an extraordinary job leading NATO for the last decade,

00:18Secretary General Stoltenberg, when he comes forward.

00:30So much of the progress we've made in the alliance is thanks to the Secretary.

00:38He's a man of integrity and intellectual rigor, a calm temperament in a moment of crisis,

00:45a consummate diplomat who works with leaders across the political spectrum and always

00:50finds a way to keep us moving forward. Secretary, you've guided this alliance through one of the

00:56most consequential periods in its history. I realize I'm talking to your wife. I personally

01:02ask you to extend your service. Forgive me. And you put your own plans on hold.

01:11When the Russian war in Ukraine began, you didn't hesitate. Today, NATO is stronger,

01:19smarter, and more energized than when you began. And a billion people across Europe and North

01:27America, indeed the whole world, will reap the rewards of your labor for years to come

01:34in the form of security, opportunity, and greater freedom. For these reasons,

01:40I'm pleased to award you the highest civilian honor the United States can bestow,

01:43the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

02:14The President of the United States of America awards this Presidential Medal of Freedom

02:22to Jens Stoltenberg. A visionary statesman and ceaseless defender of democracy, Secretary

02:28General Jens Stoltenberg has guided the NATO alliance through the most consequential decade

02:34for European security since World War II. When Vladimir Putin launched his brutal assault

02:42on the people of Ukraine, betting that NATO would break, Secretary General Stoltenberg

02:47proved him wrong. Under his stewardship, NATO has become stronger and more united than ever,

02:54and Americans for generations to come will benefit from the safer world we helped create.

03:00He demonstrates that the core truth of the alliance is as powerful now as it was 75 years ago.

03:06Together, we are stronger.

03:36Thank you.

Pres. Biden Awards Sec. General Stoltenberg With The Presidential Medal Of Freedom At NATO Summit

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