Get US To UK Support, Dutch PM Mark Rutte Strong Candidate For NATO Secretary General

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with Dutch PM Mark Rutte. (Twitter/@jensstoltenberg)

JAKARTA - The United States, Britain, France, and Germany on Thursday supported Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to replace Jens Stoltenberg as Secretary General of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

Stoltenberg's term of office should end in October 2022. However, the Ukraine crisis made his term of office extended to September 30, 2023. Last July, his term of office was extended again until October 1, 2024.

As Stoltenberg descends later, its successor faces tough challenges, retaining NATO members' support for Ukraine in dealing with the Russian invasion, while keeping the alliance from getting directly involved in the conflict with Moscow.

"President (Joe) Biden strongly supports PM Rutte's candidacy to become the next NATO Secretary-General," a US official said.

"PM Rutte has a deep understanding of the importance of the alliance, he is a natural leader and communicator, and his leadership will help the Alliance well at this critical time," he explained.

Diplomats say Rutte is the only official candidate for the post in a behind-the-scenes contest, although some say Romanian President Klaus Iohannis' name has also been mentioned in recent informal discussions.

But with the support of Washington, the alliance's main powers, and three major European countries as well as about 16 other NATO members, according to diplomats, Rutte is in a trap position and any opponent will face a tough struggle.

Meanwhile, Britain's Foreign Ministry said Rutte was a respected figure across NATO with a serious defense and security commitment, which would ensure Rutte remained strong and ready to face all the needs to defend itself.

Meanwhile, a senior French official said President Emmanuel Macron was the initial supporter of Rutte's placement in the role, after he informed him of the position last year.

A German government spokesman said Rutte had the support of Berlin and praised it as an "extraordinary mandate".

However, a senior diplomat warned that an agreement had not yet been reached. Poland, the military force that develops in Europe, does not yet have a choice, a foreign ministry spokesman said. There has also been no news from Hungary and Turkey, which some diplomats deem to have the potential to oppose Rutte.

Rutte (57) himself is known to have good relations with various leaders of Britain, the European Union and the United States, including Donald Trump, during his tenure.

On weekends, Rutte urged European leaders to "stop complaining, fuss, and nag" about Trump and focus on what they can do to increase defense and help Ukraine."

Founded in 1949 to fight the Soviet Union during the Cold War, NATO was a political and military alliance of countries from North America and Europe.

The principle of collective defense is contained in Article 5 of the agreement to establish this country, namely the idea that attacks against one member are considered an attack on all members.

NATO leaders are appointed by consensus, meaning all members must agree to a final decision. The alliance currently has 31 members with Sweden ready to join soon.