Antalya, Turkey, May 15 (EFE).- ’s new Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul backed the proposal Thursday to reach 5 percent of GDP in defense spending demanded by United States President Donald Trump.
Asked at the informal NATO foreign ministers meeting about information on a supposed proposal for allies to increase defense spending to 5 percent by 2032 using a 3.5 percent + 1.5 percent formula, through investments in hard military spending, and in infrastructure and cybersecurity, Wadephil said it would be discussed Thursday.
“I believe this is a proposal that has been agreed upon with the US side or agreed upon in advance,” the minister said.
“Of course, we will discuss it again today, but the outcome should be seen, and the outcome is, indeed, the 5 percent that President Trump has demanded, which he considers necessary, and we follow him on this and see this as a clear US commitment to Article 5 on collective defense if a member country is attacked,” he said.
Wadephul said NATO remains closely united, and everyone should know that this Alliance has been strengthened as a result of this deplorable war and is more united than ever.” EFE
cae/lds
