NATO chief asks MEPs to push for higher defence spending
In a speech at the European Parliament, NATO chief Mark Rutte said he is counting on MEPs to allocate more funding for defence in their own countries. Rutte addressed the European Parliament on Monday for the first time since becoming secretary-general in October.
In his opening remarks, Rutte expressed concern about the European Union, which is increasingly falling victim to “destabilising acts” from Russia, China and Iran.
“We know what we need to do: invest more, boost the resilience of communities and critical infrastructure and send more aid to Ukraine,” the Dutchman said. NATO and the EU should take steps in that direction “hand in hand”.
"Security does not come for free, and parliamentarians play a crucial role in debates about more spending"
“Stronger defence is my top priority; we need to spend more but also produce more,” he said. He welcomed the fact that two-thirds of European NATO member states already spend 2 per cent of their GDP on defence, but argued that 2 per cent is not enough. “We need to spend more than that,” he said. “Security does not come for free, and parliamentarians play a crucial role in debates about more spending.”
Rutte said that countries spend up to a quarter of their GDP on pensions, healthcare and social security. “More money for defence means less money for other priorities, but we are counting on you for our future and that of your children,” he said.
Asked how much countries should spend on defence, Rutte would not give an exact figure. He alluded to more than 3 per cent, without committing to that figure.
NATO chief Mark Rutte at the European Parliament © PHOTO REMKO DE WAAL / ANP
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