12 December 2017•Update: 12 December 2017
By Ilker Girit
ISTANBUL
NATO on Tuesday extended the mandate of Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance’s head, for two more years.
A NATO statement posted on its website said that Secretary General Stoltenberg will serve until Sept. 30, 2020.
The allies "have full confidence in his ability to continue his dedicated work to advance NATO’s adaptation to the security challenges of the 21st century," the statement added.
Responding to the news, Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter: "Honoured and grateful that the 29 Allies have decided to extend my term as NATO Secretary General until end of September 2020. Looking forward to continue working together to strengthen the Alliance and keep our citizens safe."
Stoltenberg has served as NATO’s secretary-general since October 2014. He previously served two terms as prime minister of Norway between 2000-2001 and 2005-2013.
