NATO ex-chief: Even hostile countries should participate in Munich Security Conference

Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has committed to ensuring that the Munich Security Conference (MSC) becomes a platform for diverse opinions and meetings among representatives from various countries.

Stoltenberg made these remarks in an interview with a German magazine, as per Caliber.Az.

"As chair, I would like to contribute to the conference's mission: 'Peace through Dialogue,'" Stoltenberg stated.

He will assume his role as head of the forum in spring 2025, and while he cannot yet disclose who will be invited to the first conference under his leadership in 2026, he emphasized the importance of inclusivity.

"I believe the conference is significant because it serves as a platform for a wide range of countries, even if they consider each other adversaries or enemies," Stoltenberg noted. "We must understand that we live in a global world and need a global perspective."

He reassured that the conference will remain a forum for differing opinions, continuing to welcome countries from the so-called Global South.

On October 8, the MSC press office officially confirmed that Stoltenberg would become the next chair of the forum, taking over after the 61st conference scheduled for February next year. Currently, the conference is led by Christoph Heusgen, a former security adviser to Angela Merkel and former German ambassador to the United Nations.

By Khagan Isayev