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Create an account Reset password Already have an account? Log in From now on you can download videos from our website If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below. Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password. The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters,...
Create an account Reset password Already have an account? Log in From now on you can download videos from our website If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below. Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password. The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Click the button to return to the page you were on and log in with your new password. 12 March 2026 2 MIN READ On Thursday (12 March 2026), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attended the Brussels European Defense Exhibition (BEDEX). He praised the crucial role of the defence industry for continued security across Europe and North America. Speaking at the BEDEX opening ceremony, Mr. Rutte told industry representatives, “The men and women in uniform are crucial but without the equipment they cannot fight, and our adversaries know that, so they need to know that we have a strong defence industrial base.” He also explained the importance of increased defence spending in a more dangerous world, stating, “NATO Allies are committed to investing 5% of their GDP on defence by 2035 because this is about our security, and about our freedom and our prosperity.” The Secretary General toured the exhibition with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Bart de Wever, and the Minister of Defence, Theo Francken. Mr. Rutte praised Belgium’s investments in defence, adding, “with extra defence investment we can buy the capabilities our militaries need to keep us safe.” During his visit, Mr. Rutte highlighted the importance of the defence industry across NATO to increase production, accelerate innovation, and strengthen cooperation. “We are unmatched as an Alliance in our industrial strength and innovation power, and I'm absolutely confident that we can succeed together, and we will succeed together. This is good for our security and for our economies,” he said. At BEDEX, the Secretary General also joined Mr Francken on stage for a public discussion. This evening, Mr. Rutte will deliver a speech at the event. Link was copied to clipboard GALLERIES NATO Secretary General takes part in the BEDEX 2026 Conference 12 March 2026 1 / 21 Remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the official opening NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with Theo Francken, Minister of Defence of Belgium Sofa Talk with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Theo Francken, Minister of Defence Belgium moderated by Cindy Dubois Sofa Talk with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Theo Francken, Minister of Defence Belgium moderated by Cindy Dubois Sofa Talk with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Theo Francken, Minister of Defence Belgium moderated by Cindy Dubois Sofa Talk with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Theo Francken, Minister of Defence Belgium moderated by Cindy Dubois NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with Theo Francken, Minister of Defence of Belgium NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium Remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the official opening NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium Official opening with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Prime minister of Belgium Bart de Wever, Minister of Defence of Belgium Theo Francken and Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium David Clarinval NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visits the exhibition at BEDEX 2026 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visits the exhibition at BEDEX 2026 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium and Theo Francken, Minister of Defence of Belgium at the exhibition at BEDEX 2026 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium and Theo Francken, Minister of Defence of Belgium at the exhibition at BEDEX 2026 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visits the exhibition at BEDEX 2026 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium and Theo Francken, Minister of Defence of Belgium at the exhibition at BEDEX 2026 Sofa Talk with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Theo Francken, Minister of Defence Belgium moderated by Cindy Dubois Sofa Talk with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Theo Francken, Minister of Defence Belgium moderated by Cindy Dubois Back VIEW METADATA VIEW IMAGE Assets details Description Creation date Location Themes Reference Resolution Aspect radio Format Usage right Credit GALLERIES NATO Secretary General takes part in the BEDEX 2026 Conference Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 NATO Secretary General takes part in the BEDEX 2026 Conference Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General takes part in the BEDEX 2026 Conference View usage rights Usage rights CLOSE This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 NATO Secretary General takes part in the BEDEX 2026 Conference Panel discussion with NATO Secretary General at the BEDEX 2026 Conference View usage rights Usage rights CLOSE This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. TITLE DATE DURATION Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General at the BEDEX 2026 Conference 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Panel discussion with NATO Secretary General at the BEDEX 2026 Conference 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the European Defence Exhibition & Conference (BEDEX 2026) in Brussels Panel remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the European Defence Exhibition & Conference (BEDEX 2026) in Brussels
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