German Defense Minister Says Berlin Committed to Increasing Defense Spending to 2% of GDP
Germany is strongly committed to boosting its defense spending to 2 percent of the national GDP to meet the NATO-recommended target, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday
MUNICH (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 15th February, 2019) Germany is strongly committed to boosting its defense spending to 2 percent of the national GDP to meet the NATO-recommended target, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
At the Wales summit in 2014, NATO allies pledged to end cuts to defense spending and gradually increase it toward the alliance's designated 2 percent GDP target within a decade.
"Germany remains firmly committed to the goal of increasing defense spending to 2 percent," the minister said, adding that this principle was stipulated by the German cabinet in the coalition agreement.
In June, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germany would be taking action to reach the 2 percent target in line with the NATO standard.