Brussels. Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte was on Wednesday appointed the head of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). NATO issued a statement saying, "The North Atlantic Council decided to appoint Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next Secretary General of NATO, replacing Jens Stoltenberg.

I am leaving NATO in the right hands: Jens Stoltenberg

He will replace NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in the US. "I warmly welcome the selection of Mark Rutte as my successor by my NATO allies. Mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader and a consensus builder. I am leaving NATO in the right hands," Stoltenberg said on social media after NATO ambassadors approved the appointment.

PM Rutte expressed his happiness

After being elected as the new head of NATO, Rutte shared his X account and said that he is grateful that the alliance chose him. Rutte said, "It is a great honor to be appointed the Secretary General of NATO. The alliance is and will remain the cornerstone of our collective security. Leading this organization is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I am grateful to all my colleagues for showing trust in me."

Role of the NATO Secretary General

 The NATO Secretary General is responsible for chairing meetings and guiding consultations among the 32 member states to ensure the consensus-based organisation functions properly.