NATO general secretary, Mark Rutte, warned NATO allies who do not fulfill the spending commitment of 2% of GDP in defense last week that if they pay attention to their demands they will begin to receive calls from the US president, Donald Trump, in one more step to raise pressure on countries such as Spain that do not reach the objective set in 2014.
In statements from Slovakia, where he met with the president, Peter Pellegrini, the NATO leader insisted that those who do not reach the bar of 2% must accelerate the rhythm and reach the target of here to summer. “I am in contact with them actively and intensely,” he said.
“I tell you that if they do not react to my calls, they could receive calls from a man in Washington, who could demand less time in what he wants to achieve. So, if it’s not me, they could receive calls from some others,” the former first Dutch Minister on White House pressures to NATO allies in military spending.
At present, 23 of the 32 member countries fulfill the commitment to dedicate 2% to the national defense departure, with Spain to the tail with 1.28%. This debate has accelerated by Trump’s demand to European allies to take a step forward in military investment to take over continental security, a debate that will crystallize at the Hague Summit in June when the leaders of NATO sets a new spending target.
Ask for an “ambitious term” to fulfill the new commitment
Thus, Routte has stressed that it is “crucial” that all NATO allies dedicate 2% of their wealth to defense and advanced spending that the new objective will be set following the objectives of military capacities and with a “term” term ambitious “, to meet the new” goal “.
“It will be considerably more than 3%,” he reiterated, insisting on the message that 2% stays very far from the current needs of the Euro -Atlantic security scenario.
The former Dutch Prime Minister has recognized that another element to consider will be how to account for military spending, an argument that has assured that it will be given within NATO, in view that there are no unified criteria in the organization.
Allied sources explained to Europa Press that 3% is a “very likely” figure for the commitment acquired by the 32 NATO members at the Hague Summit, although it recognized that it will take time to forge the necessary consensus. The deadline to fulfill the new commitment or metric to achieve the expenditure objective will be variable that will handle NATO countries to close an agreement at the end of June.
