NATO member states have agreed to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP

On Wednesday afternoon (25 June), NATO member states unanimously agreed to increase the NATO standard for defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP over the next ten years. This is stated in the final joint declaration of the NATO summit in The Hague, published on the same day.

In a joint declaration, the alliance stated that they are "united in the face of profound security threats and challenges", particularly the long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security posed by Russia and the "persistent threat" of terrorism.

'Allies commit to invest" 5% of GDP annually in core defence requirements, as well as defence- and security-related spending, by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations,' it continued.

The 5% figure comprises “at least” 3.5% of GDP that should be spent on “pure” defence, with the remainder going to security and defence-related “critical infrastructure” to ensure, according to the statement, “our civil preparedness and resilience, unleash innovation, and strengthen our defence industrial base”.

Following pushback from some member states, particularly Spain, allies will be required to submit annual plans showing a credible, incremental path to reach this goal, NATO said.

All the member states declared their 'unwavering' commitment to Article 5 of the NATO Charter, which states that an attack on one member state is considered an attack on the entire NATO alliance. Prior to the summit, US President Donald Trump had once again called this key NATO agreement into question.

The final declaration specifically cites the Russian threat as a reason for increasing collective defence spending.

Source: commonspace.eu with agencies

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
A shortened EU-China summit on Thursday will be a test for both sides

A shortened EU-China summit on Thursday will be a test for both sides

European Council President, Antonio Costa, Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, will travel to Beijing next week to participate in the EU-China summit on Thursday (24 July). The summit has already been cut from two days to one, reflecting an increasing realisation on both sides that the chance of making progress on many issues in the bilateral agenda is small. The summit on 24 July, coincides with the 50th anniversary of relations between China and the EU, and no doubt China will want to throw a party. Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and prime minister, Li Qiange, are expected to participate in the summit. But the feeling in Brussels is that in the fifty years China had failed to create a level playing field. Whilst Chinese companies, academics and individuals had a free hand in the open European system across the continent, European companies struggled to exist , let alone compete, in China. In a key speech in 2023, van der Leyen spoke about the need of the EU to “de risk” its ties with China. But the issue that has really marred relations is Ukraine. China has failed to understand the significance of the situation in Ukraine for Europe. Chinese support for the Russian position diplomatically, as well as more tangibly, has cast a serious cloud over relations. This was seen clearly a few days ago in a four hour meeting in Brussels, between Kallas and Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, described as being “respectful, but tense”.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
A shortened EU-China summit on Thursday will be a test for both sides

A shortened EU-China summit on Thursday will be a test for both sides

European Council President, Antonio Costa, Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, will travel to Beijing next week to participate in the EU-China summit on Thursday (24 July). The summit has already been cut from two days to one, reflecting an increasing realisation on both sides that the chance of making progress on many issues in the bilateral agenda is small. The summit on 24 July, coincides with the 50th anniversary of relations between China and the EU, and no doubt China will want to throw a party. Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and prime minister, Li Qiange, are expected to participate in the summit. But the feeling in Brussels is that in the fifty years China had failed to create a level playing field. Whilst Chinese companies, academics and individuals had a free hand in the open European system across the continent, European companies struggled to exist , let alone compete, in China. In a key speech in 2023, van der Leyen spoke about the need of the EU to “de risk” its ties with China. But the issue that has really marred relations is Ukraine. China has failed to understand the significance of the situation in Ukraine for Europe. Chinese support for the Russian position diplomatically, as well as more tangibly, has cast a serious cloud over relations. This was seen clearly a few days ago in a four hour meeting in Brussels, between Kallas and Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, described as being “respectful, but tense”.