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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that Europe’s defense is provided by non-EU countries, such as the United States, Canada and Britain in the north, and Turkey in the south.
In an interview with the AFP news agency, Stoltenberg said that Europe’s defense is based more on transatlantic ties than on the long-sought “strategic autonomy” that the EU has long sought. Most EU countries are at the same time NATO allies and 90 percent of the EU population lives in NATO countries, said Stoltenberg, who noted that he is satisfied with the efforts of EU to increase defense spending, but that it approached with a dubious approach to “strategic autonomy” which is mainly defended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
On the issue of EU defense spending, Stoltenberg said: “We welcome all these efforts as long as they complement NATO. “But the EU cannot defend Europe.” Despite the fact that 90 percent of the EU population lives in NATO countries, these countries provide only 20 percent of NATO spending, Stoltenberg said, adding that NATO is facing many trials such as Russia, China’s rise, cyber attacks and international terrorism.
“As a single nation, I do not trust either Europe or North America. I believe in the strategic solidarity of both within NATO. “Because no country or continent can manage the security trials we face alone,” Stoltenberg said. The Secretary General of NATO announced that the US, Canada and Britain defend Europe in its geographical position in the north against Russia and that neither of them is a member of the EU.
While in the southeast, Stoltenberg stressed, it is again Turkey which plays an important role in NATO defense and which is also not a member of the EU. Stoltenberg also stressed that Turkey borders Syria and Iraq, adding that “it is an extremely important country, especially in the fight against DEASH.”
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