NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte does not believe that the European Union should become completely independent of the United States of America in matters of defense, despite the current policy of the administration of US President Donald Trump.
The United States expects Europe to take more responsibility and increase defense spending, Rutte said in a recent interview with dpa.
– I am absolutely convinced that the USA is fully committed to NATO. There is no doubt about that. There was one big expectation, that we spend more, that Europe takes more responsibility – said Rutte. However, he emphasized that this should be done together with the United States of America.
The former Dutch Prime Minister recalled the NATO summit held in June in The Hague, where all allies agreed to increase defense spending to five percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035.
– I think it is still one of President Trump’s biggest foreign policy victories – that five percent, a clear commitment to invest more – said Rutte.
Manfred Weber, leader of the conservative European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political grouping in the European Parliament, has called for the EU to develop into a ‘European NATO’, arguing that the US can no longer be unreservedly relied upon.
Although he praised Weber, Rutte said he had a different opinion.
– We must not forget that when it comes to Europe and NATO, there is more than just the European Union – Rutte concluded.
Although he acknowledged the importance of the European Union, Rutte stated that the 23 EU member states within NATO make up only about a quarter of the Alliance’s total economic strength.
– Seventy-five percent are still outside the EU – he said, referring to NATO members such as the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada and the United States of America.
(Vijesti.ba/Fena)
