On Wednesday, the NATO allies agreed to more than double their defensive spending targets of 2% to 5% of gross domestic product, in the most decisive move from the alliance for more than a decade.
In the joint declaration, the Western military bloc said it was “united in the face of serious security threats and challenges.” In particular, the long-term threat poses by Russia to the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the “lasting threat” of terrorism.
“The Allies are committed to investing 5% of their GDP annually in core defence requirements and defense-related spending by 2035 to ensure personal and collective obligations.”
The 5% figure consists of “at least” 3.5% of GDP to be spent on “pure” defense, with the rest going to “critical infrastructure” related to security and defense, saying “unlocking the preparation and resilience, innovation of our citizens and strengthening our defense industry foundation.”
Allies should submit an annual plan that “shows reliable progressive paths to reach this goal.”
Some member states have yet to meet their 2014 target of spending 2% of their GDP on defense.
The historic movement is against the background of tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Members have also been pushed into new targets to share more of the burden of collective defense after years of pressure across the terms of both Washington’s Canadians and US President Donald Trump on European allies.
The alliance on Wednesday also reaffirmed the “rotary iron commitment to collective defense” engraved in Article 5 that attacks are an attack on everything.
“We continue our resolve to protect one billion citizens, defend our alliances and protect freedom and democracy,” the statement read.
“Quantum Leap”
In response to the summit, NATO Executive Director Mark Latte said the agreement would fuel the “quantum leap” in the alliance’s collective defense.
The deal “not only increases our security, but also creates jobs,” Latte continued, saying that the allies “have made a critical commitment to meeting the serious threat.”
Allies were united in realizing the seriousness of the threat they faced and “knowing that we need to step up to stay safe,” he said.
He stressed that President Trump’s US commitment to NATO, but said he hopes that European allies and Canada will contribute “and see that exactly what they’re doing.”
Latte acknowledged that this was the “first day” of the efforts needed to improve the alliance’s defensive capabilities, saying, “We need to innovate and act quickly.”
“Today’s decision will make NATO much stronger and make NATO a more equitable alliance. The resolve of the allies is clear. We are together, committed to Article 5, and we are determined to stand firm,” he said.
When he asked a question from the press about his relationship with Trump, Latte said, “I think he deserves all the praise.”
