May 10, 2017•Update: May 11, 2017
LONDON
The fight against terrorism and burden sharing will be the main issues at a Brussels summit at the end of the month, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday.
Stoltenberg visited Prime Minister Theresa May at Downing Street where the two leaders issued statements before meeting.
“I really wanted to confirm, and reaffirm, the commitment that the U.K. has to NATO,” May said. “We see it as the bedrock of U.K. security and we are pleased to be playing the role that we are in the alliance.”.
Talking about the U.K.’s commitments regarding NATO, May said they “very much consider it important here in the U.K. that we spend 2 percent of our GDP on defense and also meet the 20 percent on equipment commitment as well.”
Stoltenberg thanked May and said they would take up burden sharing and fighting terrorism in their meeting as the UK is leading by example on both fronts.
“When it comes to burden sharing, you spend 2 percent of GDP on defense … contributing to our shared security, you are really a lead nation and I thank you for that,” he added.
“Also, when it comes to fighting terrorism, I very much appreciate the contributions from the U.K. You have been in Afghanistan for many, many years together with NATO allies.
“We will address our presence in Afghanistan at the leaders’ meeting but we will also address what more NATO can do to step up its efforts to fight international terrorism, including providing support to the counter-ISIL coalition,” he said.
Stoltenberg said he believes “the best thing you can do to fight against terrorism is to train local forces, enabling them to stabilize their own country and to fight terrorism themselves.”
Britain spent $60.3 billion on defense, according to NATO sources.
