BERLIN

The German army needs five to eight years to address its shortcomings, the German defense minister said Saturday.

Boris Pistorius told Welt am Sonntag newspaper that the German armed forces or Bundeswehr must have the right structure.

He added that the German army is also perfectly equipped to assume all missions within NATO.

Pistorius also mentioned how Germany once had compulsory military service but it was done away with. "Now, when we look back, we see that this is a mistake," he said, adding that he is now considering all the options.

Shifting US resources?

The US will be more active in the Pacific region over the next decade, and its activities in Europe may shrink, according to Pistorius.

"This means that we Europeans must intensify our determination to guarantee our continent's security," he said, mentioning Russia’s moves to bolster its forces.

He called for taking seriously the threat to Baltic countries as well as Georgia and Moldova.

"This is not just sabotage. We may face danger at the end of the decade, but we will be prepared by then," Pistorius vowed.

* Writing by Nur Asena Erturk in Ankara