Addressing the European Parliament, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed closer cooperation between the European Union and the Alliance.
He stressed that “cooperation is now the norm, not the exception” and noted that a strong European defence contributes to fair burden-sharing.
Mr. Stoltenberg also addressed the agenda of the upcoming meeting of NATO leaders in May.
The NATO chief also revealed the agenda of the upcoming May summit in Brussels, which is expected to be attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump.
Stoltenberg said that the fight against terrorism, the importance of transatlantic relations as well as burden-sharing would be the main topics on the agenda of the May 25 meeting of alliance leaders from 29 countries.
The NATO chief said that the summit would be hosting Trump for the first time.
NATO can see the writing on the wall.
Europe cannot afford two competing military pan-national bureaucracies.
Lets pull all our aircraft and troops etc away from the Nato borders and let the EU realize that hammering us in our Brexit talks will hopefully get them to realize how much they rely on us
Four Typhoons? the border will be helpless then i’m sure.
We have a few more assets out there, but agreed its not a lot and France/Germany/Italy could easily fill in the gaps in the short term, until brexit is done.
Ultimately we are not there because of european ties, we are there to protect our own interests.
When the negosiations on the exit really heat up, we will see just how much or otherwise the eastern european countries value our support.
Yeah true we do but certainly not enough to dictate Brexit with, not nearly enough, America guarantees their security not us.
Brexit negotiations won’t in any way we be affected by our military commitments to any EU member. They’re all in NATO for a start.
I think NATO should look to rewrite its legislation and be able to incorporate countries like Japan, S Korea and FPDA nations, it’s been looked at before but it’s definitely worth doing. Singapore spend well over 2%, Australia 2% and Japan’s economy is that big that their 1% is nearly same as our 2%. Just look at the SCO, India and Pakistan are joining next month and it’s growing in military cooperation every year and doing it under the radar. The Warsaw pact pales in comparison. Instead of hoovering up tiny states that offer next to nothing militarily we should… Read more »
It’s an interesting thought Kieran. The SCO comment is well surfaced. My worry about this is the message to many people would be ‘China is the enemy’. By doing so I’m not sure we wouldn’t be repeating past mistakes. Geo politics overall is becoming much more Cold War than any one should be comfortable with.
Yeah it is you’re right, but if there is going to be a flash point I see it being in the South China See involving the US Navy, read somewhere that the pentagon has refused 3 requests in the last few months from the US Navy to sail within 12 miles of disputed islands. America will not be willing to give up “top dog” status and that will happen in the next 20/30 years according to current predictions. Problem with this is that is we will be dragged into any conflict regardless of our thoughts on China, it’s fine not… Read more »
Right here goes. Do not make me laugh. The EU is weak and aspires to a capable force akin to NATO but is nowhere near. we have treaty obligations to NATO not the EU after 2019. The EU with its ridiculous claims of UK owing them £84 billion is just burning bridges. Keep it up and we will not be there for you. A couple of facts. Since WW2 European safety and security has not been underwritten by the EU but by NATO. It is NATO that has maintained the peace in Europe not some spoilt unelected commissioners in Brussels… Read more »
The idea that we should not pay the EU because of WW2 is absolute madness. We committed to an EU spending cycle until 2020, the EU pays for stuff in blocs and we made commitments to fund projects that have already started, the liabilities go back to 2006, also the former Brussels officials and MEP’s pensions (British) that need paying, and the same retired ones after 2019. We have underwritten loans by the European investment bank so if future loans default we will be liable, that’s why the money is in there. If we want free trade and access to… Read more »
I take it you are a remainer I voted to remain for the sole reason of my grandchildren I knew what was at stake when the vote was cast (about leaving everything) but i am now a passionate leaver Why because of all the rubbish that comes out of theses unelected guys in Europe who wants to punish us for us voting in an election If you are a democrat regardless of which party you support you should except the vote of the MAJORITY whether it is only a few points or a large margin the result is the same… Read more »
I voted to remain yes, like the overwhelming majority of the youth of the country did. 75% of 18-24 to remain, 56% of 24-49 (my age is 28) You need to stop thinking the EU is “punishing us” it’s doing nothing of the sort, they are protecting their interests of their member states and rightly so, they want a trade deal with us but the divorce needs to be settled first, read my comment above on why it’s a tiny bit more complex than than what the Mail and Sun are telling everyone. And Germany happens to be an important… Read more »
Kieran – “I voted to remain yes, like the overwhelming majority of the youth of the country did. 75% of 18-24 to remain, 56% of 24-49 (my age is 28)” I will ask you the same question I ask every remain voter who peddles the ‘It Wos the Oldies Wot Dunnit’ nonsense. So exactly where on that ballot paper was the ‘Age of Voter’ box because I never saw it? So lets move on to serious matters. We are only committed as members of the EU to the 5 year spending rounds called the ‘Multiannual Financial Framework’. That runs out… Read more »
Moldova, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Algeria……
Just some of the many countries that have a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU and don’t pay cash for the honour.
It will be no different for the UK.
Mr. Bell – that was a fantastic commentary and I applaud you for it. Nicely done sir!
Almost makes u want to get our the tricolour and vote for Marie le pen. Things are that bad in Europe.
Apparently there is also the small matter of 250 tons of European high grade nuclear waste at Sellafield. Maybe we need to ship that back to our ” friends and allies” in the EU to deal with.
Kieran i was making a point not being 100% serious. the point is we have benefitted the EU a great deal. Very rarely do you see in the uk signs saying this infrastructure project was funded by EU. go to Poland, Czech republic, Hungary etc and these signs are everywhere. not complaining just an observation. happy for the uk to pay contributions or commitments we have actual prior signed upto. EU has to meet us half way. There is a reason 52% of UK population voted for Brexit. I personally did not, but if we are having Brexit the EU… Read more »
Yeah ok bud i sensed a bit of tongue in cheek, Midlands engine £122m, £5.5b last year for Schools, Hospitals universities, Crossrail £523m the high speed transport for London service opening next year, London overground £220m for 60 new trains. In the last decade we have had £52b for UK based projects. I live in Blackpool and our new coastal defenses (sea wall) was EU funded. It’s there mate there just isn’t always a sign saying it lol. And that’s like saying because America and Russia were allied powers in WW2 they should have a free trade deal and all… Read more »
Kieran – In your reply to Mr Bell you seem confused on two important matters. Firstly all the transport monies you mentioned are EIB loans on commercial terms. ie we pay interest!. Nothing to do with ‘EU funding’ at all. And any ‘funding’ that does come our way is, given we are paying in some £13 Bn a year nett of rebate, OUR money the EU recycles, sticks a flag on and then says its their money! The EU are ‘funding’ our projects with OUR money. You really could not make it up! Just as they are funding places like… Read more »
Baz, not just your grandad, mine too…
We seem to have won the war but lost the peace since ww2 and come out losers , compared to Germany that is 100% using the EU as a conduit for German domination and currency manipulation. Works very well… German industry and exports are thriving under the Euro whilst many other EU nations, including France, are struggling.
Was my dad i was referring too not my granddad he fought in WW1 so the same applies to him as well
Im with you all the way on this
I don’t want all the Brexit doom and gloom predictions to come true but I fear that some will, in particular the UK economy slowing very significantly as business uncertainty continues or even worsens during rocky negotiations and consumer spending falls off as inflation bites. If the above does happen though, and back on topic, I still cling to my perhaps forlorn hope that the UK government might look at some manufacturing stimulus where, as well as infrastructure investments, building some other stuff like finally getting these T26 builds under way and maybe accelerating and even expanding the MARS SSS… Read more »
Good points Julian. go back to plan and stimulate economy via shipbuilding and reinvesting in our armed forces. There really is no better time to do it than now. Back of a cigarette packet time.£ 8-10 billion (one fifth the bill the EU are asking for) would cover it. 2 more astutes 2 new lphds to replace Ocean 10 type 31s (£300 million each for a capable frigate hull) mk 41 vl system for type 45 destroyers A follow on order for 3-5 more Poseidon mpas start work on challenger 3 mbt A follow on order for 6 more type… Read more »