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NATO
Brussels, Feb. 15, 2017 (dpa/NAN) NATO is a “fundamental bedrock” capable of adapting to changing security challenges, U.S. Secretary of Defence James Mattis said ahead of his first meeting of NATO defence ministers on Wednesday.
Mattis’ debut at NATO comes as allies are seeking assurances on U.S commitment to the 28-nation pact after U.S President Donald Trump called it “obsolete’’.
He threatened to withhold U.S support unless members ramp up their defence spending.
“The alliance remains fundamental bedrock for the U.S and for all the transatlantic community bonded as we are together.
“I’m here to listen to my fellow ministers, to have an open conversation among friends and allies about where we’re going and our shared level of commitment,’’ Mattis said while addressing reporters.
He said that the alliance was “in the midst of transformation’’ to adapt to new security challenges.
“I do have confidence that we will prove once again that we can react to the changing circumstances.
“We’ve done so in the past, there’s every reason for confidence that we will move out purposefully together once again,’’ he said.
Defence spending and the fight against terrorism are expected to be high on the agenda at the two-day meeting.
The ministers will also discuss cyber defence and will aim to send a clear signal on being ready to defend members in the eastern part of the alliance.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he was “absolutely certain’’ that Mattis would reaffirm U.S commitment to NATO and the meeting’s outcome would be “a message of transatlantic unity’’.
“The ministerial meeting comes at a crucial time for transatlantic security.
“We will take decisions to ensure our alliance stays strong and flexible in the face of evolving challenges.
“This is because a strong NATO is good for Europe and a strong NATO is good for North America,’’ Stoltenberg said.
Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO member states that fail to meet the defence spending target of two per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and has called for fair burden sharing.
According to NATO, only four countries, Greece, Britain, Estonia and Poland meet the two per-cent target aside from the U.S, which bears the largest financial burden in the alliance.
German Defence Minister Ursula Von der Leyen stressed, ahead of the meeting that Europe should increase its defence spending.
“We Europeans have to do more to be able to establish security for Europe, and that means investments,’’ Von der Leyen told public broadcaster ZDF.
During his confirmation hearing, Mattis said he wanted the U.S to maintain the “strongest possible’’ relationship with NATO.
“I hope his position (on NATO) will prevail,’’ von der Leyen said, adding that Mattis had a good reputation and a powerful position within the Trump administration.
Stoltenberg noted that the meeting would also boost NATO’s involvement in the fight against terrorism, in particular against the Islamic State extremist group.
The U.S and southern European countries have advocated increased NATO involvement in the fight against Islamic State.
Defence ministers are set to decide to establish a coordination centre in the Italian C ity of Naples where information from countries such as Libya, Syria or Iraq would be analysed.
“This will help us to coordinate information on crises and help us address terrorism and other challenges stemming from the region,’’ Stoltenberg said. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Ese E. Ekama