Spain’s commitment to Nato ‘total’, says defence minister, after its PM seeks exemption
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Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said her country was a “responsible ally that is absolutely committed to the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance”.
PHOTO: AFP
MADRID - Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on June 20 her country is totally committed to Nato, a day after Madrid asked the alliance to be exempted from the proposed increase in the defence spending target to 5 per cent of gross domestic product.
“Spain and its armed forces are a serious, trustworthy, responsible ally that is absolutely committed to the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance,” Ms Robles said in Madrid.
“No one can call it into question.”
Her comments came following a letter by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Nato chief Mark Rutte on June 19 that could derail a summit at which the military alliance plans to ask them to commit to the 5 per cent target.
In his letter, Mr Sanchez requested a “more flexible formula” that either makes the spending target optional or excludes Spain from its application.
At an estimated 1.28 per cent of GDP, Spain had the lowest proportion of expenditure on defence in the alliance in 2024, according to Nato estimates.
Mr Sanchez agreed in April to accelerate efforts to meet Nato’s current target of 2 per cent in 2025. REUTERS
