NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says he's looking forward to working with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and that U.S. leadership is vital to the world's biggest military alliance.

Stoltenberg said Wednesday that "it is important that the Trans-Atlantic bond remains strong" and that "U.S. leadership is as important as ever."

Trump has criticized many allies for not paying their fair share of the NATO budget.

Stoltenberg said he looks forward to welcoming Trump at next Spring's NATO summit, to be held in the alliance's sprawling new premises in Brussels.