Spanish Government Rejects NATO's Proposed 5% Defense Spending Target
Defense Minister Margarita Robles affirms commitment to 2% of GDP, emphasizing the need for negotiations before setting new defense investment goals.
Spain's Defense Minister, Margarita Robles, has publicly rejected NATO's proposed goal of 5% of GDP for defense spending, stating, "Our commitment is to reach 2%," during a press briefing in Brussels.
Robles emphasized that discussions about new percentages are premature and reiterated the current focus on a commitment to the 2% target, which Spain aims to achieve this year with planned investments exceeding €10 billion.
Robles's statements come in the context of ongoing discussions among NATO member states regarding future defense spending commitments, particularly ahead of the upcoming summit in The Hague this June.
Sources suggest that a proposal may emerge for a 3.5% in traditional defense spending, alongside an additional 1.5% allocated to non-traditional sectors such as cybersecurity and border control.
The Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, indicated during a meeting in Tirana last week that Spain will certainly reach the 5% target, which aligns with expectations from the United States.
However, Robles has consistently downplayed this prospect, stating that the current focus is on maintaining and enhancing Spain's existing commitment without social expenditure cuts being made to accommodate increased military spending.
The Spanish government's spokesperson, Pilar Alegra, indicated a willingness to engage in negotiations regarding defense investments.
She acknowledged the significant effort required to achieve the 2% target without compromising social welfare objectives.
She stated that any changes to the agreed defense spending levels would necessitate thorough consideration and discussion.
Negotiations regarding defense spending targets are already underway, having initiated during the recent NATO Foreign Ministers meeting held in Turkey.
Further discussions are scheduled to continue at the upcoming meeting of Defense Ministers in Brussels in early June.
The NATO summit at the end of June will gather leaders from all member states, including critical discussions regarding the retention of U.S. commitment to NATO, which underscores the importance of increased defense expenditures.
Robles emphasized that discussions about new percentages are premature and reiterated the current focus on a commitment to the 2% target, which Spain aims to achieve this year with planned investments exceeding €10 billion.
Robles's statements come in the context of ongoing discussions among NATO member states regarding future defense spending commitments, particularly ahead of the upcoming summit in The Hague this June.
Sources suggest that a proposal may emerge for a 3.5% in traditional defense spending, alongside an additional 1.5% allocated to non-traditional sectors such as cybersecurity and border control.
The Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, indicated during a meeting in Tirana last week that Spain will certainly reach the 5% target, which aligns with expectations from the United States.
However, Robles has consistently downplayed this prospect, stating that the current focus is on maintaining and enhancing Spain's existing commitment without social expenditure cuts being made to accommodate increased military spending.
The Spanish government's spokesperson, Pilar Alegra, indicated a willingness to engage in negotiations regarding defense investments.
She acknowledged the significant effort required to achieve the 2% target without compromising social welfare objectives.
She stated that any changes to the agreed defense spending levels would necessitate thorough consideration and discussion.
Negotiations regarding defense spending targets are already underway, having initiated during the recent NATO Foreign Ministers meeting held in Turkey.
Further discussions are scheduled to continue at the upcoming meeting of Defense Ministers in Brussels in early June.
The NATO summit at the end of June will gather leaders from all member states, including critical discussions regarding the retention of U.S. commitment to NATO, which underscores the importance of increased defense expenditures.
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