On Wednesday, NATO allies agreed to more than twice the goal of defensive spending from 2 % of GDP to 5 % by 2035, in the most decisive step of the alliance for more than a decade.
In a joint declaration, the Western military bloc said it was “united in the face of deep security threats and challenges”, especially the long -term threat posed by Russia for European Atlantic Security and “the ongoing threat to terrorism.”
“The allies are committed to investing 5 % of GDP annually on the basic defense requirements as well as defense and security spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations.”
The number consists of 5 % of “at least” 3.5 % of the gross domestic product that should be spent on “pure defense”, with the rest to the “critical infrastructure” related to defense, and the statement said, “Our civil preparation and flexibility, release innovation, and enhance our defensive industrial base.”
“Show a reliable and increasing path to reach this goal,” the allies of the Allies said to present annual plans.
Some member states have not yet fulfilled the goal for the year 2014 to spend 2 % of GDP on defense.
This historical step comes against the background of tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. The members were also pushed to the new goal after years of pressure on both periods of US President Donald Trump to Canadian and European allies in Washington to exchange more collective defense burden.
On Wednesday, the coalition also reaffirmed its “iron commitment to collective defense” as it is dedicated in Article 5 that the attack on one of them is an attack on everyone, after the question marks on the reliability of the United States when it comes to the central column of NATO.
The statement stated: “We are still united and fixed in our determination to protect our billion citizens, defend the alliance, and protect our freedom and democracy.”
“Quantum”
In the treatment of the summit, NATO Secretary -General Mark Roti said that the agreement will lead to a “quantum leap” in the coalition’s collective defense.
The deal “will only increase our security, but also create job opportunities,” saying that the allies have made “great obligations to meet great threats.”
He said that the allies realized the severity of the threats facing the coalition, and they were “united in understanding that we need to go up to stay safe.”
He said that President Trump confirmed that America is committed to NATO, but it expects European allies and Canada to contribute more, and this is exactly what we see.
Root admitted that this was the “first day” of the necessary effort to increase the defense capabilities in the alliance and said, “We need innovation and we need to act quickly.”
He said: “The decisions made today will make NATO much stronger, and it also makes NATO a more just alliance. The Allies’ intention is clear: We are in this together, committed to Article 5, and we are determined to stand firmly.”
When he took questions from the press about his relationship with Trump, Roti said, “I think he deserves all praise.”
