NATO summit in Brussels
Following the summit in Brussels, Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed the need for a very fundamental discussion. "Speaking for Germany, I made it clear that we must do more and that we have been doing more in recent times – the trend has already been reversed."
NATO summit in Brussels: In 2024 Germany intends to spend 80 per cent more on defence than in 2014.
Photo: Bundesregierung/Denzel
NATO member states intend to gradually raise their defence budgets by 2024 towards the mark of two per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). They affirmed this in a summit declaration. Germany is investing strongly in equipment, said Angela Merkel. It is doing so for the troops but also for the alliance, in the face of a changed security situation.
Strengthening deterrence and defence
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared that the joint resolutions will strengthen the alliance in the fight against international terrorism.
Important decisions had been taken regarding the NATO command structure, he reported.
Two new headquarters are to be established, one in Norfolk, USA and one in the German city of Ulm. More than 1,200 new staff members are to work there. The command structure is to be expanded to embrace a new cyber operations centre. NATO experts are ready to support cyber defence efforts of member states.
The member states also decided to launch a new training mission in Iraq.
Angela Merkel reported that the summit had reaffirmed and extended its support for Jordan and Tunisia, as well as continuing its "open door policy" vis à vis Macedonia. The resolution of the dispute over the name of the country has removed a major obstacle to Macedonia’s admission to NATO.
Brussels, 11.07.18: Before the NATO summit, Chancellor Angela Merkel met the press. She said that Germany is committed to the resolutions made at the Wales summit to increase defence spending towards the two percent mark.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas and Federal Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen accompanied Angela Merkel to the summit.
Over two days the military alliance discussed the current challenges in the field of security policy.
Between sessions, Angela Merkel talks with Philippe Etienne, the foreign policy advisor of the French President. (3rd from left)
On the sidelines of the summit the Chancellor met with President Donald Trump. They discussed the transatlantic alliance and cooperation within NATO.
Consultations within the German delegation. Germany owes much to NATO, said Angela Merkel, but it also gives a great deal. Germany provides the second largest contingent of troops.
Brussels, 12.07.18: Consultations continued on day two. Georgia and Ukraine, represented by President Petro Poroshenko, were invited to attend the first session of the day.
In a summit declaration, the NATO partners expressed their commitment to fair burden-sharing as the basis for continued cohesion and solidarity within the alliance.
Higher defence spending
The Chancellor explained that German defence spending is to rise year by year after a period of strong cuts. By 2024 Germany will be spending 80 per cent more on defence than it did in 2014. Germany is an important part of the military alliance, she declared.
At the Wales summit in 2014, NATO member states agreed to gradually increase their defence spending up to 2024, towards the equivalent of two per cent of their GDP. They reaffirmed their commitment to this goal in the Brussels summit declaration. "We are committed to the resolutions adopted in Wales," said Angela Merkel.
Relations with Russia
During a bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump, relations with Russia were discussed. Angela Merkel underscored the "common line" with the United States of America, and again condemned the annexation of Crimea.
With a view to Donald Trump’s meeting next week with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Chancellor stressed that it would be a "very good sign for everyone" if they also discussed nuclear disarmament.