Antony Blinken at NATO: rebuilding alliances after the Trump years
Antony Blinken visiting NATO headquarters on March 23, 2021. AFP - YVES HERMAN
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3 min
After four years of cookie-cutter declarations by Donald Trump on NATO, described as "obsolete", the countries of the Atlantic Alliance welcome with little masked satisfaction the arrival of the new management team in Washington.
The thirty NATO foreign ministers are therefore meeting this Tuesday, March 23, in Brussels, with for the first time among them, Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State.
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With our correspondent in Brussels
,
Pierre Benazet
Strengthening NATO, rebuilding alliances, starting a new chapter in transatlantic relations, the atmosphere would be almost euphoric at the headquarters of the Atlantic Alliance facing Antony Blinken.
But Joe Biden's Minister of Foreign Affairs had above all to reassure his counterparts about the intentions of the United States vis-à-vis Afghanistan;
many allied countries are worried that Donald Trump's decision on the withdrawal of American troops on May 1, 2021 has still not been formally buried by Washington.
“
We came in together
,” said Blinken,
“we have adjusted together and when the time is right, we will leave together.
Regardless of the tactical decisions, we are united with our NATO allies to seek a responsible end to this conflict and to withdraw our troops from the danger zone.
"
"
Never again a refuge for terrorists
"
“
Just as we are collectively determined to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who may threaten the United States or our allies.
And we are conducting our consultations on the way forward for Afghanistan as an Alliance,
”the US Secretary of State concluded.
Even if everyone's desire is to renew the transatlantic link, Anthony Blinken also finds himself facing a torn NATO, in particular on the attitude to adopt vis-à-vis Turkey and its rapprochement with Russia.
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To read also:
NATO: the new transatlantic relationship, subject of Antony Blinken's visit to Brussels
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