Pistorius spricht auf dem Großen Zapfenstreich für Jens Stoltenberg

„Sag, was du denkst. Bleibe standhaft. Schätze und fördere die Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Verbündeten.“ Für diese Prinzipien, so Verteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius, stehe Jens Stoltenberg. Anlässlich des Großen Zapfenstreichs für den ehemaligen NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization-Generalsekretär am 22. Oktober 2024 im Berliner Bendlerblock, hielt der Minister eine Rede.

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Our esteemed guest of honuor, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, 
Federal Minister Baerbock, Annalena,
My esteemed predecessors,
Prof. Scholz, Dr Jung,
Dr de Maiziére, 
Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer, and 
Ms Lambrecht,
Members of the German Bundestag,
Excellencies,
State Secretaries,
Distinguished guests, 
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to welcome you all to the German Ministry of Defence on the occasion of the Grand Tattoo in honour of our former NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg.

Jens, I understand that you are a passionate cross-country skier. 
I am quite certain that the skills you have acquired in cross-country skiing at least match your outstanding diplomatic skills. And: They must have been a great help throughout your impressive career. 

Just like the trails you like to ski on in the wilderness, your path over the past ten years as NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Secretary-General has not always been easy – to say the least. 
You had to steer the Alliance through rough terrain, and you have led us with purpose and clarity.

The past ten years, in which you served as NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Secretary-General, have probably been the most difficult and challenging period of time for the Alliance after the end of the Cold War.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was one of the most significant and defining moments for NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization in recent history. And it will dominate our security landscape for years to come.

Your tenure has coincided with this brutal war, as well as many other major challenges facing the Alliance, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, internal political divisions over NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization’s ability to act, but also emerging challenges such as the rise of cyberattacks, and hybrid warfare to name just a few. 
While all of these issues are crucial, Putin’s war in Ukraine remains a central focus, shaping NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization’s priorities and responses to the shifting security environment. 

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a watershed moment for our Alliance. It served as a bitter wake-up call. 
Frankly speaking, Germany woke up to Russia attacking Crimea and invading Donbas as early as 2014. But instead of responding to this wake-up call like you did, many of us turned around and hit the snooze button. Always with a glimmer of hope that Russia would return to commonly agreed principles.
Our joint reaction in 2022 was much different. I am grateful that you took the helm when our post-Cold War assumptions about peace and stability in Europe were shattered.

It was through your efforts that NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization members closed ranks after Russia attacked. You made sure that Moscow’s calculation of a weak West that would go back to snoozing mode did not work out this time. 
You played a crucial role in mobilizing support for Ukraine that enabled its brave people and soldiers to defend themselves against a brutal aggressor.  

Right from the beginning of the war in Ukraine, every member of the Alliance knew and will always know: When the going gets tough, we can count on NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization and we can count on Jens.

Our first encounter and my first impression of you has stayed with me to this day: We both participated in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base. It was a cold January day and my second day in office as Germany’s defence minister.

I was very new in my job, but one thing was immediately clear to me: Jens is a man who speaks his mind and who is not shying away from hard truths. 
And at the same time, he is a man who can put himself in other people’s shoes. 
You stand for principles that are also crucial to me as German Minister of Defence: Speak your mind. Stand your ground. Empathize and encourage cooperation among Allies.

Jens, 
We have all had to face up to a new reality. A reality in which we have a free and democratic Europe on one side, and an authoritarian and war-mongering Russia on the other.

Over the past decade as NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Secretary-General you have witnessed first-hand and accompanied the transformation of Germany’s security and defence policy.

You know how far we have come: from negotiating the Wales Summit declaration to actually spending more on our armed forces this year than ever before. 
And you know as well as everyone else in this room: We urgently need to substantially increase our defence spending even further.

In this process of increased burden sharing within the Alliance you have always played an important part in encouraging us to take more courageous steps and to shoulder more responsibility for transatlantic security.

We have expanded our role on NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization’s eastern flank, committed more resources to defence, and deepened our cooperation with our partners and Allies across the Atlantic. In short: Today, we spend more, we contribute more and we initiate more.

The resolute implementation of our decision to permanently deploy a combat-ready brigade to Lithuania is one of the most visible signs that Germany is living up to its responsibilities in terms of deterrence and defence. 
All of this is not just a reflection of Germany’s unwavering belief in the importance of this Alliance and the values it defends. It is a reflection of our willingness and ability to shoulder responsibility.  

When it comes to the future of transatlantic security, I think we all agree that the trails ahead will require even more resilience, more determination, and more strength and adaptability.

One of your political masterpieces has been the NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization 2030 process, which has put the Alliance on the right track for a demanding future.

By addressing important issues such as resilience, climate change, global partnerships and innovation, you have contributed to NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization’s great adaptability and ensured the Alliance’s relevance for decades to come.  

Under your stewardship, NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization has emerged more united and more capable and more innovative.

Jens, 
Your unwavering commitment to our common security and freedom has created a more resilient, a stronger NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization. An alliance capable of adapting to both conventional and unconventional threats. 
As the second-longest serving NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General, you are leaving behind an historic legacy. It is with good reason that our Federal President has awarded you today with the German Order of Merit.

Looking at the future: The trail ahead is not completely unknown to you. And you will certainly spend some time, if not in the mountains, at least near the mountains!

I wish you all the best for your new position as Chair of the Munich Security Conference. I look forward to working very closely with you in that position as well.

Your political commitment, your personality and your determination will play an important role in strengthening transatlantic security in the years to come.

One thing will also help you in your new position: You know how we Germans think and how we tick. You have proven that once again tonight: The selection of songs you have chosen for the ceremony later illustrates that. In addition to the NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization anthem, you have chosen an old Bundeswehr song as well as a beautiful Norwegian piece.

I read that the Norwegian trumpeter composed the song immediately after his ultimate boyhood dream had come true: a flight in an F-16. 

And I wondered whether this song reminded you of your flight in a German Eurofighter exactly six months ago. An event that you are still raving about.

Jens,
You have made a huge difference. To the transatlantic alliance. To European security. And to me and my work. I want to thank you for your service, your leadership, and above all, your friendship.

Thank you.