–We meet at a historic moment, with significant and growing challenges to our security, notes Rutte as he holds a press conference before the meeting in his hometown of The Hague.
He confirms that "bold decisions" will be made to raise the countries' defense spending to at least 5 percent of their GDP.
–It is important that everyone takes their share of the burden, says Rutte.
Without going into exact details, he points out that the recently established new requirements for what NATO countries should have in terms of capacity mean that NATO will acquire "five times as much air defense, thousands more tanks and millions of new artillery grenades".
Unclear for Spain?
He manages to be both clear and unclear at the same time when it comes to the new percentage targets. Spanish reports that the country has been exempt from reaching 5 percent are only partially rejected.
–It is not possible to choose to opt out of things in NATO. All member states obviously have the right and flexibility to decide their own way and how much they will spend annually. What differs from the Wales target from 2014 (to spend at least 2 percent on defense) is that there will be annual reviews. And in 2029, we will conduct a review – including how the international security situation looks and whether we need to invest even more, says Rutte in The Hague.
"Military benefit"
The 5 percent is divided into 3.5 percent in traditional military spending and 1.5 percent in investments that can be of military benefit, such as bridges and other things.
–Spain believes that they can reach their targets with the help of 2.1 percent. NATO is absolutely convinced that Spain will need to spend 3.5 percent, says Rutte.
He also takes the opportunity to comment on the situation surrounding Iran.
–The member countries have on repeated occasions urged Iran to fulfill its commitments under the non-proliferation agreement (on nuclear weapons), says the Secretary General.
