New NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said his responsibility was to implement decisions set at September’s Summit in Wales, counting on allies to engage and deliver.

“So as I take office, these are my three priorities,” he said, taking up the NATO reins Oct. 1 at his first press conference. “Keep NATO strong. Help keep our neighborhood stable by working with partners. And keep the bond between Europe and North America rock solid.”

The most important task for the alliance is to protect and defend its 28 members from attack, and Article 5 remains the NATO cornerstone. That means NATO will uphold its commitment and defend its allies. That means NATO must be strong not only as a political alliance but also as a military alliance.

The Summit approved the Readiness Action plan so NATO can respond faster to quickly moving crises. Military commanders are setting up the Spearhead Force, troops that will be ready to deploy within days.

“In February, I expect NATO defense ministers to agree on the design, the composition and the size of the Spearhead Force,” Stoltenberg said.

Engagement is important, and as Secretary General, he plans close engagement with allied members. “I intend to visit East and South of our Alliance to see the situation on the ground. And in the coming days I plan to make my first visits to Poland and Turkey.”

NATO will continue its support for an independent stable Ukraine.

“We will start implementing the NATO trust funds to support Ukraine in four areas: cyber, logistics, command and control, and rehabilitation of wounded soldiers,” Stoltenberg said.

He sees no contradiction between a strong NATO and efforts to build a constructive relationship with Russia.

“Just the opposite,” he said. “Only a strong NATO can build such a relationship for the benefit of Euro-Atlantic security. A strong NATO is also an engaged NATO working with partners to build stability across the globe.”

Touching on spending, he said NATO has agreed to reverse defense budget declines, and raise those budgets over the coming decade.

“We will review our progress every year,” Stoltenberg said. “We will keep it on the agenda of future summits and meetings of defense ministers.”