U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visiting Europe restructures relations with NATO member states, which have been shaken under the former Trump administration, and addresses China, which is expanding its influence in Europe. Therefore, he emphasized the idea of strengthening the alliance.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Brussels, the capital of Belgium, for the first time since taking office to attend the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
Prior to the Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Secretary Blinken gave a lecture at NATO headquarters on the 23rd.
"The reason I am here is to reaffirm America's involvement in NATO," said Blinken, who said he would aim to rebuild the alliance that had been shaken under the former Trump administration.
He added, "NATO must also focus on the challenges that China faces in the international order based on law," and NATO is considering to deal with China, which is expanding its influence in Europe as well. He emphasized the idea of strengthening the alliance through the realization of the reforms that are in place.
Regarding the complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan near the end of next month, he said, "We have acted together and promised to withdraw together when the right time comes. This principle remains the same." Through this Foreign Ministers' Meeting, he expressed his intention to keep pace with close discussions with NATO member countries.