Former NATO chief Stoltenberg to attend Trump inauguration

Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is to travel to Washington for the inauguration of incoming U.S. president Donald Trump on Jan. 20.

Stoltenberg, who is set to become the head of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), told dpa on Tuesday that his focus would be strengthening U.S.-European relations in his new role.

Stoltenberg is expected to officially take over the role of chairman of the MSC after the upcoming conference meeting from Feb. 14 to 16.

Stoltenberg, a former Prime Minister of Norway, would lead the world’s largest conference on foreign and security policy.

The MSC was founded in 1963.

Each February, top political and defence officials gather in southern Germany to debate international security matters.

The MSC is hoping for strong representation from the incoming Trump administration, with the U.S. vice president traditionally presenting the new administration’s foreign policy at the conference.

Last year, JD Vance, Trump’s designated vice president, attended as a Republican senator.

Germany’s official representative at Trump’s inauguration is scheduled to be the ambassador in Washington, Andreas Michaelis.

A government spokeswoman pointed out that U.S. protocol typically designates ambassadors to represent foreign nations at presidential inaugurations.

In mid-December, Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, said that several world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, had been invited, though no further details were provided.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has confirmed plans to visit Trump in Washington soon after the inauguration. (dpa/NAN) (