Stoltenberg stays

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Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg reappointed NATO Secretary General

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

Photo: Joerg Koch / Munich Security Conf.
Jens Stoltenberg arriving at the 51st Munich Security Conference in 2015.

M. Michael Brady
Asker, Norway

On Dec. 12, the North Atlantic Council announced an extension of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s mandate by two years, so he will serve the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) until Sep. 30, 2020.

Stoltenberg entered politics early; at age 14 in 1959, he joined Arbeiderpartiet (the Labor Party) youth organization and rose to become its leader in 1985. He was elected to Stortinget (Parliament) in 1989. In 2000, at age 41, he became Norway’s youngest-ever prime minister.

As the NATO Secretary General, Stoltenberg now warns those who think that Europe can manage without the European Union (EU) and NATO. He points to EU, NATO, and the United Nations having been decisive in ensuring the longest period of peace in modern European history, a blessing that can continue only if these organizations remain strong and renew themselves.

Further reading: “Denne uken har NATO landene skrytt uhemmet av Stoltenberg. Selv tror han de beste årene kommer nå” (This week the NATO countries openly praised Stoltenberg. He believes the best years now lie ahead) by Øystein Kløvstad Langberg, Aftenposten: www.aftenposten.no/verden/i/4dq5OE/Denne-uken-har-NATO-landene-skrytt-uhemmet-av-Stoltenberg-Selv-tror-han-de-beste-arene-kommer-na (Norwegian).

This article originally appeared in the Dec. 29, 2017, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.

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M. Michael Brady

M. Michael Brady was born, raised, and educated as a scientist in the United States. After relocating to the Oslo area, he turned to writing and translating. In Norway, he is now classified as a bilingual dual national.