On Wednesday, NATO allies agreed more than double their defense spending target of 2% of the 5% Gross Domestic Product by 2035, in the most decisive movement of the Alliance in more than a decade.
In a joint statement, the Western Military Block said it was “united in front of deep threats and security challenges”, in particular, the long-term threat that Russia represents to the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the “persistent threat” of terrorism.
“Allies undertake 5% of GDP annually in central defense requirements, as well as defense and security spending by 2035 to guarantee our individual and collective obligations,” he continued.
The 5% figure is composed of “at least” 3.5% of GDP that should spend in “pure” defense, and the rest goes to security and “critical infrastructure” related to defense to guarantee, said the statement, “our civil preparation and resistance, unleash innovation and strengthen our industrial defense base.”
It will be required that the allies present annual plans “that show a credible and incremental route to achieve this goal,” said NATO, after the rejection of some Member States, particularly Spain.
Some member states have not yet fulfilled the objective of 2014 to spend 2% of GDP in defense.
The historical movement comes in a context of tensions in the Middle East and the current war between Ukraine and Russia. The members have also been taken to the new objective after years of pressure in both terms of the US president Donald Trump for the Canadian and European allies of Washington to share more of the charge of collective defense.
On Wednesday, the Alliance also reaffirmed its “Ironclad commitment to collective defense”, as consecrated in article 5, that an attack against one is an attack on all, after the interrogation signs about the reliability of the United States when it came to that central Pilar of NATO.
“We are still united and firm in our determination to protect our billion citizens, defend the alliance and safeguard our freedom and democracy,” reads the statement.
‘Quantic Salto’
When addressing the summit, NATO general secretary Mark Rutte said the agreement would feed a “quantum leap” in the collective defense of the Alliance.
The agreement “would not only increase our security but also create jobs,” Routte continued, saying that the allies had made “significant commitments to comply with significant threats.”
The allies recognized the seriousness of the threats facing the Alliance, he said, and were “united in the understanding that we must take a step forward to keep us safe.”
He said that President Trump had emphasized that the United States is committed to NATO but hopes that European and Canada allies will contribute more, “and that is exactly what we see them do,” said Rutte.
Rutte acknowledged that this was the “first day” of the effort necessary to increase the defense capabilities of the Alliance and said: “We need to innovate and need to act quickly.”
“The decisions taken today will make NATO much stronger, they also make NATO a fairer alliance. The resolution of the allies is clear: we are in this together, committed to article 5, and we are determined to stand firm,” he said.
While taking the press questions about his relationship with Trump, Rutte said: “I think he deserves all praise.”
