The United Kingdom presented NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael ad St. George (KCMG)
The award was a recognition for the outstanding achievements of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen during his term at the office between 2009-2014.
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Rt Hon Philip Hammond with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in the official award ceremony. 17 Nov. 2015 ©UK Foreign Office
The Foreign Secretary Rt Hon Philip Hammond presented the Honorary KCMG award from the UK Foreign office to former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and elaborated:
“The 2014 Wales Summit took place at a time of significant geopolitical challenge. Under Mr Rasmussen’s leadership the Alliance set out an ambitious response, whilst maintaining unity throughout. The achievements of the Wales Summit included a new rapid reaction capability to respond to any threat, as well as an unprecedented agreement by Heads of Government to halt the decline in defence investment. His efforts included the modernisation of NATO to ensure an Alliance fit for purpose to counter 21st century threats, including in Cyber and Hybrid Warfare. Ahead of the Warsaw Summit in July next year, the UK will continue to play a leading role to ensure implementation of Wales Summit commitments, including strengthening collective Defence. With a budget of £34 billion, the UK is the largest European contributor to NATO. Earlier this year, this government announced its commitment to meet the NATO guideline of spending 2% of GDP on Defence for the rest of the decade.” ©UK Foreign Office
The NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, on the occasion of the award ceremony, expressed:
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed as an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael ad St. George (KCMG). This award will further strengthen my ties to the British people. Let me take this opportunity to thank the UK for its invaluable contribution to the promotion of Freedom and Peace in the World. The United Kingdom is a staunch NATO ally and a bedrock of the Transatlantic Security Cooperation between Europe and the United States. I would like to extend a special thanks to the British service men and women in gratitude for their tireless efforts to make the world a safer and better place to live.” ©UK Foreign Office
It is important to note that since the establishment of NATO in April 1949, the United Kingdome has been the most crucial leading partner along with the U.S. in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. And as of today is the largest European contributor to the NATO.
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