Germany inaugurates Baltic Sea naval HQ amid rising tensions with Moscow

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius looks on, on the day of a G7 Defence Ministers meeting in Naples, Italy October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/File Photo

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany inaugurated on Monday a new multinational naval headquarters for the Baltic Sea capable of leading operations for NATO during a conflict, as the military alliance increases focus on the area amid rising tensions with Russia.

"Our message to our partners and to those who threaten our peace is simple: Germany stands firmly by its commitments," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said according to a draft of his speech at a ceremony at the country's naval command in the coastal city of Rostock, on whose premises the headquarters is located.