Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Germany is ready to step up globally in her opening speech at the Munich Security Conference. Speaking to DW, she said Berlin would increase its defense budget.
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Munich Security Conference - DW talks to Ursula von der Leyen
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German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen hailed recent European efforts to bolster military cooperation and pledged increased German defense spending in an interview with DW on Friday.
Von der Leyen's comments followed her speech opening this year's Munich Security Conference. In it, she criticized US cuts in funding to foreign aid and the United Nations.
European Union countries already achieved much by agreeing to establish Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), a pact agreed to in December to develop common defense equipment and improve military decision-making. "We made a huge step forward ... we have a legal frame around the European Defense Union for the very first time," she said.
Von der Leyen said PESCO was not a rival to the NATO alliance, but would allow Europe to act on its own when needed: "NATO will always be collective defense, but there are other tasks ... where Europe is needed."
She also cited the government coalition agreement between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democratic Party in which both sides pledged more money for the German military after years of decline. "There will be billions for defense ... because we said we would raise the budgets one by one."
NATO reacts: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told DW he welcomed Germany's promise to increase its military budget and EU efforts to strengthen the bloc's defense cooperation. But Stoltenberg said EU cooperation was "not an alternative to NATO," but would "strengthen the European pillar within NATO."
Germany will do more: Von der Leyen said in her opening speech that Germany was willing to take on more international responsibility. In addition to increased defense spending, Germany would also pay more into the United Nations budget.
Europe must do more: Opening the conference with French Defense Minister Florence Parly, von der Leyen also said EU countries needed to build on the momentum of PESCO and consider a similar type of agreement for EU foreign policy decision-making.
Criticism of US aid cuts: The 59-year-old minister also criticized planned US spending cuts for foreign aid and the UN. "It is a point of concern to us to see that some of our partners continue to roll back spending on diplomacy, international aid and the United Nations," she said. She added that the US and European countries needed to invest in both military and non-military capabilities to tackle modern threats.
What is the EU defense union PESCO?
Three years in the making, the signing of PESCO marks a new chapter in the EU's self-reliance when it comes to defense. But what does the Permanent Structured Cooperation actually entail?
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Union within a union
With 25 of the EU's current 28 member states joining the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), there seems to be a great deal of consensus among member states but a few remain on the fence. The new defense union is expected to address immediate threats without having to rely on NATO for all of the EU's defense needs.
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High expectations
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker had been campaining for PESCO for several years. He expects the new military pact to deliver a "European Security and Defence Union (which) will help protect our Union, which is exactly what EU citizens expect."
Image: Reuters/D. Pignatelli
A 'new era' for European security
EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Chief Federica Mogherini welcomed the establishment of PESCO as the dawn of a "new era." Mogherini further described the initiative as "an inclusive framework to facilitate the joint investments and projects that we so much need to strengthen the ability of the European Union to be a credible security provider for its citizens and globally."
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Franco-German foundations
French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen are among the chief supporters of the PESCO defense union. Von der Leyen stressed that with the United States taking a critical stance on NATO, launching Europe's very own defense initiative was "important - especially after the election of the US President," referring to Presiden Donald Trump.
Image: Reuters/Y. Herman
A new direction
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (pictured left) welcomed the launch of PESCO in the face of those fears over US President Donald Trump's commitment to the transatlantic defense alliance. Stoltenberg said that PESCO will "strengthen the European pillar within NATO" adding that it will be "good for NATO" as well.
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Left outside
The majority of EU states signed up to PESCO. Malta still mulling over it, Denmark has opted out for the time being, and the UK is expected to reject the proposal, as it is set to leave the EU by 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May is free to join PESCO at a later date however - even after Brexit - if the terms of that cooperation would benefit the entire EU.
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EU soldiers?
It is unclear to what extent there will be concrete military cooperation between EU states, as is the case with the EUFOR peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The signing of PESCO initially provides only the framework for expanded collaboration and more efficient spending of military funds.
