NATO allies are finalizing negotiations to define a common goal of 5% of GDP in defense expenses, to be presented at the next summit in The Hague. Spain was able to ensure some flexibility in the agreement, committing a contribution of 2.1% of GDP.
NATO allies are finalizing negotiations to reach agreement, in next week’s summit in The Hague, about the goal of allocating 5% of their GDP to defense, already with a flexibility commitment to Spain.
A few days of the 32 countries that make up the NATO gather in The HagueIn the Netherlands, diplomatic sources heard by Lusa indicated that after some skepticism in recent days -especially from Spain -negotiations are already in the final phase.
There is talk of a goal of reaching 3.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with traditional military spending (Armed Forces, Equipment and Training) and 1.5% of additional GDP in double -use, civil and military infrastructures (as related to cybersecurity, readiness and strategic resilience), an increase compared to the current goal of 2%.
One of the diplomatic sources told Lusa already “green light”After, he said, Spain said that, although not agreeing with the goal, he would not block an agreement, thus enabling consensus among the allies.
In temporal terms, the goal is expected to be 2035, with a Review in 2030.
Spanish fixed defense expense in 2.1% of GDP
In a institutional statement, at the Moncloa Palace, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchezguaranteed that it will affect 2.1% of the country’s GDP to defense expenses“No more, no less,” which will allow you to guarantee all your commitments within the NATO.
On the eve of Hague Summit, Sánchez stated that he refused the new goal proposed to NATO members of increasing defense expense to 5% of GDP, considering it “counterproductive” e “UNTRAPTABLE” for the reality of the country.
Pedro Sánchez’s position was manifested in a carta Submitted on Wednesday to the secretary general of the organization, Mark Rutte.
NATO allies gather next Tuesday and Wednesday in summit in the warm city of The Hague under Urgency to spend more in defensehoping there is no war, but preparing for the worst. This meeting of NATO leaders and ministers will serve to discuss world events and their impact on Euro-atlantic security.
