1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:24,040 in a minute . I'm going to turn the 3 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:26,151 microphone over to Secretary Austin , 4 00:00:26,151 --> 00:00:28,262 just a couple of administration notes 5 00:00:28,262 --> 00:00:30,484 here , we've only got a short amount of 6 00:00:30,484 --> 00:00:32,818 time . So after the Secretary's remarks , 7 00:00:32,818 --> 00:00:34,540 we'll have time for just a few 8 00:00:34,540 --> 00:00:36,651 questions and then we'll have to move 9 00:00:36,651 --> 00:00:36,440 on and I will I will call on the 10 00:00:36,450 --> 00:00:38,850 questioners here from from the podium 11 00:00:38,860 --> 00:00:40,990 with that Mr Secretary . Well , good 12 00:00:40,990 --> 00:00:44,000 afternoon everyone . Let me start by 13 00:00:44,010 --> 00:00:47,200 thanking Secretary General Stoltenberg 14 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:51,040 for hosting this NATO defense 15 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:53,800 ministerial And I'm glad that we're 16 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:55,660 able to gather in person here in 17 00:00:55,660 --> 00:00:58,290 Brussels with all 30 ministers of 18 00:00:58,290 --> 00:01:01,820 defense . NATO remains the 19 00:01:01,830 --> 00:01:04,350 essential forum for consultation , 20 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:08,860 decision making an action on trans 21 00:01:08,870 --> 00:01:11,340 trans atlantic security and defense 22 00:01:11,340 --> 00:01:14,530 issues in our meetings this week only 23 00:01:14,540 --> 00:01:18,220 reinforce that point , NATO strength 24 00:01:18,230 --> 00:01:20,397 doesn't come from , it's just from its 25 00:01:20,397 --> 00:01:23,190 military might . It comes from its 26 00:01:23,190 --> 00:01:25,850 unity and its sense of common purpose . 27 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:29,460 So let me underscore 28 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:33,470 That America's commitment to Article 29 00:01:33,470 --> 00:01:37,370 five remains iron plan as 30 00:01:37,370 --> 00:01:40,000 President biden has said , we take it 31 00:01:40,010 --> 00:01:43,600 as a sacred obligation and we are 32 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:45,822 committed to working with our allies to 33 00:01:45,822 --> 00:01:49,080 ensure that NATO is ready to face the 34 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:52,970 future our countries face an 35 00:01:52,970 --> 00:01:55,420 increasingly complex security 36 00:01:55,420 --> 00:01:58,420 environment . And so this alliance is 37 00:01:58,430 --> 00:02:00,550 opening a new chapter in the 38 00:02:00,550 --> 00:02:04,510 transatlantic relationship to 39 00:02:04,510 --> 00:02:06,677 that end . We talked about several key 40 00:02:06,677 --> 00:02:08,454 issues including developing and 41 00:02:08,454 --> 00:02:11,670 maintaining credible deterrence and 42 00:02:11,670 --> 00:02:15,650 defense And that is NATO's number 43 00:02:15,650 --> 00:02:19,190 one job and it requires all of our 44 00:02:19,190 --> 00:02:21,060 fellow allies to share in that 45 00:02:21,060 --> 00:02:24,360 responsibility and to procure 46 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:28,900 prepare and provide capabilities and 47 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:32,330 forces that already and have the 48 00:02:32,330 --> 00:02:34,150 resources that they need . 49 00:02:36,340 --> 00:02:39,990 We also discuss NATO's role after the 50 00:02:39,990 --> 00:02:41,950 end of our mission in Afghanistan 51 00:02:43,740 --> 00:02:46,410 After 9 11 , NATO invoked Article five 52 00:02:46,410 --> 00:02:48,940 and entered Afghanistan as a United 53 00:02:48,950 --> 00:02:52,100 Alliance and 20 years later , 54 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:56,350 NATO left Afghanistan as a united 55 00:02:56,360 --> 00:03:00,340 Alliance . As a veteran 56 00:03:00,340 --> 00:03:02,284 of the Afghan war , I'm especially 57 00:03:02,284 --> 00:03:04,229 grateful for the contributions and 58 00:03:04,229 --> 00:03:07,060 sacrifices of our NATO allies . 59 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:10,018 And as we move forward , we are 60 00:03:10,018 --> 00:03:13,580 determined to apply some lessons to 61 00:03:13,580 --> 00:03:16,180 NATO's current and future operations to 62 00:03:16,180 --> 00:03:19,660 ensure that we can most effectively 63 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:22,100 use our collective strengths . 64 00:03:24,530 --> 00:03:26,308 And finally , we had productive 65 00:03:26,308 --> 00:03:28,308 conversations with some of our most 66 00:03:28,308 --> 00:03:31,200 capable and stalwart partners on our 67 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:33,620 collective efforts to preserve 68 00:03:33,630 --> 00:03:37,220 transatlantic security . And later this 69 00:03:37,220 --> 00:03:39,260 afternoon will also convene a 70 00:03:39,740 --> 00:03:41,907 restricted meeting of our top military 71 00:03:41,907 --> 00:03:44,290 contributors to the defeat ISIS global 72 00:03:44,300 --> 00:03:47,960 coalition and that will be an important 73 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:51,690 opportunity for us all to consult on 74 00:03:51,700 --> 00:03:54,260 ongoing operations in Iraq and Syria , 75 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:58,120 as well as new and emerging threats 76 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:01,760 that faces all such as ISIS corazon . 77 00:04:02,940 --> 00:04:05,162 Now , as many of , you know , the North 78 00:04:05,162 --> 00:04:07,940 atlantic defense Committee met for the 79 00:04:07,940 --> 00:04:11,560 first time and 1949 at the Pentagon 80 00:04:12,940 --> 00:04:14,620 and at that ministerial , my 81 00:04:14,620 --> 00:04:16,676 predecessor , Secretary of Defense , 82 00:04:16,676 --> 00:04:18,800 Lewis johnson said that they had 83 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:21,170 gathered to strengthen the ramparts of 84 00:04:21,180 --> 00:04:24,880 peace . That's what NATO has always 85 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:27,610 done and that's what it's going to 86 00:04:27,610 --> 00:04:31,370 continue to do . We face threats and 87 00:04:31,370 --> 00:04:33,537 challenges that pose new questions for 88 00:04:33,537 --> 00:04:36,550 the alliance , but we will always be 89 00:04:36,550 --> 00:04:39,190 stronger tackling them together and 90 00:04:39,190 --> 00:04:41,650 consulting together and working 91 00:04:41,650 --> 00:04:45,530 together NATO remains the strongest 92 00:04:45,530 --> 00:04:48,910 alliance in history because it unites 93 00:04:48,910 --> 00:04:51,550 countries that share powerful values 94 00:04:52,740 --> 00:04:55,810 and it continues to serve as a vast 95 00:04:55,810 --> 00:04:58,610 force , multiplier for our individual 96 00:04:58,610 --> 00:05:01,990 capabilities and strengths . The Euro 97 00:05:01,990 --> 00:05:04,350 atlantic area is most secure when we 98 00:05:04,350 --> 00:05:08,230 work together through NATO . So today I 99 00:05:08,230 --> 00:05:10,286 want to reiterate America's resolute 100 00:05:10,286 --> 00:05:13,720 commitment to NATO in our NATO 101 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:16,890 allies . I'm looking forward to working 102 00:05:16,890 --> 00:05:19,057 with Secretary General Stoltenberg and 103 00:05:19,057 --> 00:05:21,800 my fellow defense ministers to ensure 104 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:23,980 that NATO remains the unparalleled 105 00:05:23,980 --> 00:05:26,770 collective Security organization and 106 00:05:26,770 --> 00:05:28,992 we're going to keep working together to 107 00:05:28,992 --> 00:05:31,214 strengthen , strengthen the ramparts of 108 00:05:31,214 --> 00:05:33,910 peace . Thank you . Our first question 109 00:05:33,910 --> 00:05:35,910 today comes from corona margin from 110 00:05:35,910 --> 00:05:39,650 Washington post I think , mm 111 00:05:40,940 --> 00:05:44,060 Hi Mr Secretary you frequently talk 112 00:05:44,060 --> 00:05:46,340 about how china is your pacing threat 113 00:05:46,350 --> 00:05:47,961 and we know you came to this 114 00:05:47,961 --> 00:05:50,017 ministerial intending to raise it in 115 00:05:50,017 --> 00:05:52,183 various points , even though there was 116 00:05:52,183 --> 00:05:54,183 no dedicated ministerial session to 117 00:05:54,183 --> 00:05:56,017 that subject . But we've seen no 118 00:05:56,017 --> 00:05:58,183 consensus between Member States on any 119 00:05:58,183 --> 00:06:00,900 china's specific policy . So what is 120 00:06:00,900 --> 00:06:03,070 the goal and why does it seem so 121 00:06:03,070 --> 00:06:05,130 difficult to get there ? And while 122 00:06:05,130 --> 00:06:08,090 we're on the subject of china , um will 123 00:06:08,090 --> 00:06:10,080 the United States defend Taiwan if 124 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:13,610 attacked by Beijing ? Um 125 00:06:13,620 --> 00:06:15,530 So I think that was two or three 126 00:06:15,530 --> 00:06:17,720 questions but do I get to choose which 127 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:21,260 one to answer or Okay , all right . 128 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:25,320 So regarding china , let me just say 129 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:27,490 and I said it in my opening comments 130 00:06:27,490 --> 00:06:31,230 that alliances like NATO is one of our 131 00:06:31,230 --> 00:06:34,660 greatest strengths , no other country 132 00:06:34,660 --> 00:06:36,549 enjoys the types of alliances and 133 00:06:36,549 --> 00:06:40,370 partnerships that we do . I think you 134 00:06:40,370 --> 00:06:43,500 remember that back in 2019 at a 135 00:06:43,510 --> 00:06:46,430 leader's meeting , NATO allies publicly 136 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:49,990 declared for the first time the need to 137 00:06:49,990 --> 00:06:52,360 address the risk posed by china . 138 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:56,470 And at the summit in june 139 00:06:56,500 --> 00:06:59,780 um we elaborated on the ways that 140 00:06:59,790 --> 00:07:02,410 china's ambitions and behavior present 141 00:07:02,410 --> 00:07:04,990 challenges to the rules based 142 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:07,400 international order . So we see an 143 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:09,550 increasing interest in our allies and 144 00:07:09,550 --> 00:07:13,050 partners to ensure that they 145 00:07:13,050 --> 00:07:15,750 engage our partners in the indo pacific 146 00:07:15,750 --> 00:07:18,490 and work with our partners to ensure 147 00:07:18,490 --> 00:07:22,030 that we collectively work to ensure 148 00:07:22,030 --> 00:07:24,900 that the indo pacific area or region 149 00:07:24,910 --> 00:07:28,050 remains free and open and the and the 150 00:07:28,060 --> 00:07:30,230 international rules based order uh 151 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:32,660 remains uh in place here . 152 00:07:33,890 --> 00:07:37,690 And so you've also seen , you've 153 00:07:37,690 --> 00:07:39,801 also seen recently that NATO issued a 154 00:07:39,801 --> 00:07:43,320 next statement on malign chinese cyber 155 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:45,320 behavior . So there's an increasing 156 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:47,670 interest in checking that kind of 157 00:07:47,670 --> 00:07:49,892 behavior , but also to build resilience 158 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:52,160 throughout our own infrastructure . 159 00:07:53,940 --> 00:07:57,320 Okay , so that's the china question and 160 00:07:57,330 --> 00:08:00,560 your Afghanistan question was Taiwan 161 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:03,030 question . Okay . And the Taiwan 162 00:08:03,030 --> 00:08:05,400 question was , well , the U . S . 163 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:07,060 Defense , right , The town 164 00:08:08,940 --> 00:08:11,480 well , you know , nobody wants to see 165 00:08:11,490 --> 00:08:14,760 cross strait issues come to blows . 166 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:17,140 Certainly not President biden and 167 00:08:17,140 --> 00:08:19,084 there's no reason that it should . 168 00:08:19,540 --> 00:08:21,596 You've heard us say this a number of 169 00:08:21,596 --> 00:08:23,818 times and I'll say it again , we remain 170 00:08:23,818 --> 00:08:27,080 committed to Our one China policy in 171 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:30,540 keeping with Taiwan Relations Act . The 172 00:08:30,550 --> 00:08:32,860 three assurances in the six communiques 173 00:08:33,540 --> 00:08:36,050 uh as we've done over multiple 174 00:08:36,050 --> 00:08:38,560 administrations will continue to help 175 00:08:38,560 --> 00:08:40,770 Taiwan with the source of capabilities 176 00:08:40,770 --> 00:08:44,160 that it needs to defend itself . And so 177 00:08:44,170 --> 00:08:46,460 well we'll stay focused on those things 178 00:08:46,940 --> 00:08:49,890 and I wont engage in any hypotheticals 179 00:08:49,900 --> 00:08:53,340 with respect to Taiwan . Our next 180 00:08:53,340 --> 00:08:55,480 question comes from David herszenhorn 181 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:57,250 from politico . Mhm . 182 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:04,207 Thanks very much . Admiral . Thanks Mr 183 00:09:04,207 --> 00:09:06,580 Secretary on uh partnership with the 184 00:09:06,590 --> 00:09:09,490 european allies . The President in his 185 00:09:09,490 --> 00:09:11,601 phone call with with President Macron 186 00:09:11,601 --> 00:09:13,768 and Jake Sullivan when he visited here 187 00:09:13,768 --> 00:09:15,934 brussels just a few days ago said that 188 00:09:15,934 --> 00:09:18,101 the U . S . Is now prepared to support 189 00:09:18,101 --> 00:09:20,157 european allies as they develop some 190 00:09:20,157 --> 00:09:22,323 independent capabilities that would be 191 00:09:22,323 --> 00:09:24,546 complementary to NATO . And I wonder if 192 00:09:24,546 --> 00:09:24,540 you might see some value in taking an 193 00:09:24,550 --> 00:09:27,100 active effort in that encouraging them 194 00:09:27,110 --> 00:09:29,221 suggesting capabilities that might be 195 00:09:29,221 --> 00:09:31,332 complementary . Maybe you can give us 196 00:09:31,332 --> 00:09:33,499 some examples of capabilities that you 197 00:09:33,499 --> 00:09:33,200 think they ought to have , that they 198 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:35,750 don't yet . And why that may not have 199 00:09:35,750 --> 00:09:37,760 developed so far ? Do they need a 200 00:09:37,770 --> 00:09:39,770 little bit of help ? Maybe would be 201 00:09:39,770 --> 00:09:41,770 willing to provide it in developing 202 00:09:41,770 --> 00:09:43,881 developing such capabilities ? Thanks 203 00:09:43,881 --> 00:09:47,720 allow the Eu to prescribe or outline 204 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:50,900 the capabilities that that they think 205 00:09:50,900 --> 00:09:52,956 they need . I would just say that we 206 00:09:52,956 --> 00:09:55,770 certainly support a stronger and more 207 00:09:55,770 --> 00:09:59,170 capable european defence and one that 208 00:09:59,170 --> 00:10:01,340 contributes positive , positive 209 00:10:01,350 --> 00:10:04,510 actively to the transatlantic and 210 00:10:04,510 --> 00:10:07,250 global security that's compatible with 211 00:10:07,250 --> 00:10:10,530 NATO . And what we like to see is , 212 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:14,207 well we'd like to see initiatives that 213 00:10:14,207 --> 00:10:16,870 are complementary to the to the types 214 00:10:16,870 --> 00:10:18,981 of things that NATO is doing . And so 215 00:10:18,981 --> 00:10:21,680 we see these two , hopefully these two 216 00:10:21,680 --> 00:10:24,630 organizations working working together 217 00:10:24,980 --> 00:10:27,560 to enhance security in the region and 218 00:10:27,560 --> 00:10:29,560 ensure that that transatlantic bond 219 00:10:29,560 --> 00:10:32,910 remains remains strong . Next question , 220 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:34,750 Lucas Tomlinson , Fox News , 221 00:10:40,540 --> 00:10:42,429 Mr Secretary , you just mentioned 222 00:10:42,429 --> 00:10:44,484 lessons learned in Afghanistan , but 223 00:10:44,484 --> 00:10:46,207 the conflict remains ongoing . 224 00:10:46,207 --> 00:10:48,262 Thousands of Afghan commandos are at 225 00:10:48,262 --> 00:10:50,540 this moment scared and hiding in safe 226 00:10:50,540 --> 00:10:52,484 houses across the country . The by 227 00:10:52,484 --> 00:10:54,707 administration has promised to get them 228 00:10:54,707 --> 00:10:56,929 out , promises were made . Why are they 229 00:10:56,929 --> 00:11:00,540 being left behind ? Um I think , you 230 00:11:00,540 --> 00:11:03,960 know , Lucas said we continue to 231 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:07,740 work to ensure that those people who 232 00:11:07,740 --> 00:11:11,430 have helped us have the opportunity to 233 00:11:11,430 --> 00:11:13,950 leave the country if they so desire . 234 00:11:14,540 --> 00:11:16,970 We evacuated initially some 235 00:11:16,980 --> 00:11:19,960 124,000 people 236 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:24,160 Out of Afghanistan in 17 days . 237 00:11:24,540 --> 00:11:26,818 And we were able to do that because of , 238 00:11:26,818 --> 00:11:28,929 you know , we had great help from our 239 00:11:28,929 --> 00:11:30,984 coalition partners in this coalition 240 00:11:30,984 --> 00:11:33,810 and others . And it was a great example 241 00:11:33,810 --> 00:11:36,700 of teamwork . We continue to work 242 00:11:36,700 --> 00:11:40,310 together to ensure that we 243 00:11:40,310 --> 00:11:43,580 facilitate the departure of people who 244 00:11:43,580 --> 00:11:45,802 want to leave and we not only do that , 245 00:11:45,802 --> 00:11:48,540 but we helped resettle people uh into 246 00:11:48,550 --> 00:11:51,150 uh into different places . And our NATO 247 00:11:51,150 --> 00:11:52,761 allies have been very , very 248 00:11:52,761 --> 00:11:55,050 instrumental in that as well . I think , 249 00:11:55,050 --> 00:11:56,994 you know , that we had a number of 250 00:11:56,994 --> 00:11:59,840 allies step up very early on and allow 251 00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:03,740 us to set up intermediate staging 252 00:12:03,740 --> 00:12:06,730 bases in the in europe . And quite 253 00:12:06,730 --> 00:12:08,730 frankly , that was that was a great 254 00:12:08,730 --> 00:12:11,550 example of the strength of our partners 255 00:12:11,550 --> 00:12:14,920 and our alliances . Uh and so we we we 256 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,031 remain great , but we remain cited on 257 00:12:17,031 --> 00:12:19,142 this issue and we'll continue to work 258 00:12:19,142 --> 00:12:21,364 to get out those people who have helped 259 00:12:21,364 --> 00:12:23,531 us . We do have a moral responsibility 260 00:12:23,531 --> 00:12:26,930 to work as hard as long as we can to 261 00:12:26,930 --> 00:12:30,350 ensure that we help those people Is 262 00:12:30,350 --> 00:12:33,760 your mostly civilians U . S . Forces . 263 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:36,718 I understand now for almost two months , 264 00:12:36,718 --> 00:12:39,390 what's taken ? Well , as I said , uh 265 00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:41,511 we're not finished , we will continue 266 00:12:41,511 --> 00:12:44,290 our work and uh so we'll work as hard 267 00:12:44,290 --> 00:12:46,940 and as long as we need to to take care 268 00:12:46,940 --> 00:12:49,107 of as many people as we possibly can . 269 00:12:49,107 --> 00:12:51,162 The last question today goes to Teri 270 00:12:51,162 --> 00:12:54,450 Schultz does well . Mhm . 271 00:12:55,140 --> 00:12:57,680 Thanks very much . Mr Secretary , um as 272 00:12:57,680 --> 00:12:59,920 you're surely aware over the last few 273 00:12:59,920 --> 00:13:01,642 weeks , there's been a serious 274 00:13:01,642 --> 00:13:03,864 deterioration in relations between NATO 275 00:13:03,864 --> 00:13:06,810 and Russia with uh Russia closing its 276 00:13:06,810 --> 00:13:09,400 mission here um after NATO kicked out 277 00:13:09,410 --> 00:13:12,810 officials accusing them of spying . So , 278 00:13:12,810 --> 00:13:15,000 do you believe that the conversation , 279 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:17,167 for example , between Presidents biden 280 00:13:17,167 --> 00:13:19,490 and Putin back in june was effective 281 00:13:19,490 --> 00:13:21,657 and passing the message that this kind 282 00:13:21,657 --> 00:13:23,910 of behavior is not acceptable . Do you 283 00:13:23,910 --> 00:13:26,190 think deterrence against Russian 284 00:13:26,190 --> 00:13:29,550 aggression is working ? Um 285 00:13:30,340 --> 00:13:33,680 I think what President biden wants out 286 00:13:33,680 --> 00:13:37,010 of uh any kind of relationship with 287 00:13:37,010 --> 00:13:39,760 Russia is predictability and stability 288 00:13:40,340 --> 00:13:43,660 and I think with nations like ours . I 289 00:13:43,660 --> 00:13:45,716 think that's very , very important . 290 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:49,460 Again , we want to make sure that we 291 00:13:49,460 --> 00:13:51,404 continue to support our allies and 292 00:13:51,404 --> 00:13:54,320 partners , uh , in in their desire to 293 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,880 protect their sovereign territory and 294 00:13:56,880 --> 00:14:00,180 and their desire to to increase their 295 00:14:00,180 --> 00:14:02,330 resilience . And so you'll see us 296 00:14:02,330 --> 00:14:04,330 continue to do that . You'll see us 297 00:14:04,330 --> 00:14:06,441 continue to work with NATO allies and 298 00:14:06,441 --> 00:14:08,497 partners . Uh , I think , you know , 299 00:14:08,497 --> 00:14:11,450 you just saw me visit uh , a number of 300 00:14:11,460 --> 00:14:13,571 countries in the Black Sea region and 301 00:14:13,571 --> 00:14:15,738 that that was it was those were very , 302 00:14:15,738 --> 00:14:18,430 very good visits . Thanks all . Thank 303 00:14:18,430 --> 00:14:20,597 you very much . That's all the time we 304 00:14:20,597 --> 00:14:20,160 have today .