1 minute read
NATO must become more European in order to reduce its long-standing dependence on the U.S. security umbrella.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made the remarks during the alliance’s annual summit in Ankara. “We both know how important close cooperation between the European Union and NATO is,” the European Commission president said.
Responding to von der Leyen’s remarks, Rutte highlighted the clear division of responsibilities between the two organisations. He said NATO is responsible for command structures, capabilities and standards, while the European Union focuses on industry, investment and regulation. Twenty-three of the EU’s 27 member states are also members of NATO.
“We cannot continue as we have in the past, relying too heavily on the United States. We need a much stronger Europe within a stronger NATO,” Rutte said, describing the current situation as an unprecedented transformation driven by close cooperation between the European Union and NATO.