Rutte urges deeper NATO-EU defence cooperation
The NATO Secretary General has told MEPs that closer cooperation between NATO and the EU is essential to boost defence production, sustain support for Ukraine and strengthen European security.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed the Renew Europe Global Europe Forum at the European Parliament on Tuesday, stressing the importance of closer alignment between NATO and the European Union in response to growing security challenges.
Speaking to MEPs and invited guests, Rutte highlighted increased defence spending by NATO allies, efforts to expand defence industrial output, and continued military and political support for Ukraine as central pillars of Euro-Atlantic security. He argued that cooperation between NATO and the EU allows both organisations to act more effectively in an increasingly contested security environment.
“When we combine our strengths, of NATO and the EU, we can more effectively tackle the many challenges we face,” Rutte said.
He linked this cooperation directly to Ukraine’s ability to resist future aggression and to Europe’s capacity to accelerate defence production.
“Working together, we keep Ukraine strong today and able to defend itself against any aggression in the future,” he said. “And working together, we can produce more defence capabilities, and we can produce them faster. We can innovate better and outsmart our competitors.”
Following his keynote address, the Secretary General took part in a discussion with Members of the European Parliament, addressing a range of current security challenges facing Europe and the wider Euro-Atlantic area.
Comments (0)