NATO summit kicks off with North Atlantic Council meeting in Vilnius PHOTO

A two-day NATO summit kicked off on July 11 with heads of state and government gathering for a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

In his opening remarks, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Finland -- the country attending the two-day NATO summit for the first time as a member -- and Sweden, which he described as a future member of the 31-member military alliance, Anadolu reports.

The summit began after the leaders posed for a family photo.

"Today, we will make many decisions," Stoltenberg said, adding that "for a stronger alliance, we will increase our practical and political support to Ukraine… this will bring Ukraine closer to NATO where it belongs."

"We will also take bold steps to further strengthen our deterrence and defence, including new plans … for the defence of the New Atlantic area. And we will agree more ambitious defence investment pledge," he added.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, for his part, said: "Today allies are meeting in Vilnius to testify the importance of collective solidarity and defence."

Nauseda noted the meeting will focus on how to strengthen security and defence, how to help Ukraine win, and how to strengthen partnerships with like-minded countries.

"Unity, solidarity, and transatlantic bond are irreplaceable pillars of our success," he underscored, wishing everyone a productive discussion and wise decisions.