Frankfurt (Germany), 22 May (LaPresse) – “The task now is to move towards a ‘NATO 3.0’, with a new burden-sharing arrangement: an Alliance with greater European responsibilities and capabilities. Germany is doing its bit and is well on the way to reaching the 5% target”. This was stated by the German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, on his arrival at the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Summit in Helsingborg. Wadephul emphasised that Berlin will already exceed 4% of defence spending in budgetary terms this year, but stressed that investments must translate into concrete operational capabilities. “A 5% target alone does not create deterrence,” he said, calling for interoperable weapon systems, more ammunition, a reform of the Bundeswehr and a strengthening of industrial cooperation in the defence sector at national, European and transatlantic levels. According to the German foreign minister, the upcoming NATO summit must translate spending commitments into concrete military capabilities, strengthening the Alliance’s European pillar and the common response to security threats.
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