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BRUSSELS, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow on Thursday stressed the vital role that partners play within the military alliance, according to NATO's press release.
In a keynote speech at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs' Annual Helsinki Summer Session, NATO deputy chief said partnerships are not only an integral part of the alliance's adaptation to new challenges, but also help NATO meet its primary obligation to defend its territories and populations.
Noting the alliance faces challenges from east and south, he stressed that NATO's partnerships have helped to consolidate peace and stability in Europe and beyond borders.
He said NATO will enhance its forward presence in the eastern part of the alliance to address challenges from the east.
NATO will support partners in the Middle East and North Africa as a response to the turmoil in the south, he added.
Vershbow also praised Finland, a non-NATO country's important contributions to the Alliance in his speech.
