NATO chief urges Denmark to spend more on defense

Source: Xinhua   2017-03-18 04:34:21

COPENHAGEN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Visiting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday urged Denmark to boost its expenditure on defense and security at a time of more complex security scenario.

Addressing a joint press briefing after meeting with Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, Stoltenberg said it is not enough to increase the quality of defense only.

"If you reduce defense spending when the tension goes down, you must also increase it when the tension goes up," Stoltenberg told the press.

"It is not a choice between quality and quantity. We need more of both," he added.

Rasmussen said there is a need to pour more money into defense and security, noting that it is his government's ambition to put more money when parliament this autumn will negotiate a new defense agreement.

He however pointed out that Denmark will not be able to spend 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense as expected by the NATO.

In 2014, 28 NATO countries agreed to eventually use 2 percent of GDP on defense. Denmark currently spends 1.14 percent of its GDP on defense, according to Danish news agency Ritzau.

"Even if we had the money, the Danish defense will not be able to absorb so much money in a meaningful way," the prime minister said.

At their meeting, Stoltenberg and Rasmussen also discussed issues like counter-terrorism, Russia and preparations for the upcoming meeting of Allied leaders in Brussels this May.

During his visit, Stoltenberg also had talks with Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen and Defense Minister Hjort Frederiksen.

Editor: yan
Related News
Xinhuanet

NATO chief urges Denmark to spend more on defense

Source: Xinhua 2017-03-18 04:34:21

COPENHAGEN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Visiting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday urged Denmark to boost its expenditure on defense and security at a time of more complex security scenario.

Addressing a joint press briefing after meeting with Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, Stoltenberg said it is not enough to increase the quality of defense only.

"If you reduce defense spending when the tension goes down, you must also increase it when the tension goes up," Stoltenberg told the press.

"It is not a choice between quality and quantity. We need more of both," he added.

Rasmussen said there is a need to pour more money into defense and security, noting that it is his government's ambition to put more money when parliament this autumn will negotiate a new defense agreement.

He however pointed out that Denmark will not be able to spend 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense as expected by the NATO.

In 2014, 28 NATO countries agreed to eventually use 2 percent of GDP on defense. Denmark currently spends 1.14 percent of its GDP on defense, according to Danish news agency Ritzau.

"Even if we had the money, the Danish defense will not be able to absorb so much money in a meaningful way," the prime minister said.

At their meeting, Stoltenberg and Rasmussen also discussed issues like counter-terrorism, Russia and preparations for the upcoming meeting of Allied leaders in Brussels this May.

During his visit, Stoltenberg also had talks with Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen and Defense Minister Hjort Frederiksen.

[Editor: huaxia]
010020070750000000000000011105521361378931