Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer met to discuss European and wider international security.
The Defence Secretary hosted Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer on her first visit to the United Kingdom as Germany’s Defence Minister. In a meeting at Horse Guards Parade the pair discussed some of the global challenges facing both countries, including tensions in the Gulf, according to a news release that can be found here.
“Mr Wallace and Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer agreed that the UK and Germany should continue to hold Iran to account for its destabilising and dangerous actions in the Middle East, while encouraging it to de-escalate and seek a more peaceful path. The pair also spoke about their strengthening bilateral relationship. The Defence Secretary congratulated Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer for taking on the mantle of hosting the 2022 Invictus Games in Dusseldorf.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement:
“Our two nations share a passionate belief in democracy, justice and tolerance. That’s why our Armed Forces deploy on many of same missions around the globe – from countering terrorism as part of the Global Coalition against Daesh to deterring Russian aggression as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltics.
I’m delighted that strong relationship is reflected in the fact that Germany will host the 2022 Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, showcasing the remarkable tenacity and resolve of our personnel.”
The Defence Secretary reportedly also made clear to his German counterpart that the UK remained unwavering in its commitment to European security as it gets ready to withdraw from the EU at the end of the month and underlined the importance of NATO to European defence.
I’d like to know their thoughts on Turkeys increasingly ambiguous position. Germany could be a great force for good, but before we decry its lack of investment in its own defence we must improve ours. Our “2%” GDP defence spend is just a disingenuous paper excercise & has been so for years while actual capabilities have withered or been lost.
Definitely I truly hope UK Gov gets its act together in regards defence but I am not hopeful. As I have already note elsewhere there is a worrying hint in newspapers(FT/TELEGRAPH/TIMES) on the shape of the new SDR i.e. another cost cutting exercise but defence minister’s talk of an independent UK capability does raise hopes that this is not the case. We will have to wait and see but I admit to being very cynical about successive Governments and their constant and wilful blind spot over defence needs
Put Trident and pensions into the core budget!!!