NATO, together with other international organisations, is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and all NATO Allies have taken measures to respond. NATO has been implementing robust measures to limit the spread of the virus; to reduce the risks to our soldiers, civilians, and communities; and to ensure that our essential work continues – to maintain deterrence and defence for our nations. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed media on March 19, saying: “NATO’s ability to conduct operations has not been undermined. Our forces remain ready, and our work goes on.” He added: “This is an unprecedented crisis. But we have overcome crises before. And together, we will overcome the coronavirus crisis.”
Transcript
The coronavirus outbreak has made clear that many of the challenges we face are too great for any one nation or organization to face alone. This is an unprecedented crisis, but we have overcome crises before and together we will overcome the coronavirus crisis. The health and the safety of our personnel is paramount and it is vital to maintaining our readiness. From the beginning NATO has been implementing robust measures to limit the spread of the virus, to reduce the risks to our soldiers and civilians and the communities they serve and to ensure that our essential work continues, to maintain deterrence and defense for our nations. NATO’s ability to conduct operations has not been undermined. Our forces remain ready and our work goes on, including in our multinational battlegroups in the east of our alliance, NATO air policing, our maritime deployments, and our missions from Afghanistan to Kosovo. It is more important than ever that we stand together, work together, and support each other. That is what NATO is all about, the simple and powerful idea that we are stronger together than alone.