Addressing the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Sub-Committee on Security and Defence on Tuesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed closer NATO-EU cooperation, including on maritime security, military mobility, and countering cyber and hybrid attacks.
He described Europe and North America as “two sides of the same coin” and emphasized the importance of a strong transatlantic bond in order to maintain peace and security in Europe.
The meeting is part of the Secretary General’s regular engagements with EU institutions and you can listen to an audio file here.
Last year, Stoltenberg delivered remarks at the Körber Global Leaders Dialogue in Berlin, stressing the importance of NATO as the bedrock of European and transatlantic security.
The Secretary General used the speech to advise against relying on the European Union instead of NATO to defend Europe.
Speaking two days before the thirtieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, he said:
“The bond between Europe and North America made it possible to reintegrate Germany into the European and international community, to end the Cold War without a shot being fired, and to create the conditions for European integration.”
Offering caution, Stoltenberg added:
“Any attempt to distance Europe from North America will not only weaken the transatlantic Alliance, it is also risking dividing Europe itself. European unity cannot replace transatlantic unity. I strongly welcome efforts to strengthen European defence. Which can enhance capabilities and burden sharing within NATO.
But the European Union cannot defend Europe.
This is partly about military might. After Brexit, 80% of NATO’s defence expenditure will come from non-EU Allies. And Germany will be the only EU member leading one of NATO’s battlegroups in the east of the Alliance.
NATO’s position is clear. We will do whatever is needed to keep our citizens safe. But we will not mirror what Russia is doing. We do not want a new arms race. We do not want another Cold War. And we have no intention of deploying new land-based nuclear missiles in Europe. NATO Allies remain committed to effective arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. And to open and meaningful dialogue with Russia.”
Stoltenberg may try and smooth over the cracks with this “North America and Europe are 2 sides of the same coin” but it’s blatantly obvious that certain members of the EU are openly hostile towards the United States…..the leaders of France and Germany being the main ones. They’re also desperately trying to get this EU army thing going as well which is detrimental to the fantastic organisation and Alliance that has guaranteed peace and security in the West for 70 years.