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Rutte with the troops: The Dutch Prime Minister during a visit to Lithuania
Photo:
Robin van Lonkhuijsen / ANP / IMAGO
He only holds his position as Prime Minister of the Netherlands in an acting capacity; his next task could then wait in Brussels. Estonia and Lithuania support Mark Rutte as a candidate for NATO Secretary General. "After thorough discussions, we have received certainty that Mark Rutte is ready to take measures to strengthen the alliance and that Estonia can support his ambitions," said the Foreign Ministry in Tallinn. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who herself was discussed as a possible successor to the outgoing Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, also expressed her approval of Rutte - there had previously been reservations about him in Estonia.
Lithuania also supports Rutte's candidacy. The Dutchman is one of the politicians who recognized the threat from Russia early on and who radically changed his attitude towards Russia, said President Gitanas Nauseda after a meeting with Rutte in Vilnius. The 57-year-old is also particularly sensitive and understanding of the threats to NATO's eastern flank.
To be appointed NATO secretary general, Rutte needs the approval of all 32 members of the alliance. According to information from alliance circles, he could now have the support of 28 alliance states - Hungary and Romania, among others, are not considered to be supporters of the Dutchman, whose candidacy is supported primarily by Germany, Great Britain and the USA. Romania's President Klaus Iohannis is also applying for the NATO chief post.
lpz/dpa