The defense minister acknowledged this Wednesday that there is increasing “political pressure” on NATO member states to exceed 2% of GDP in defense investment and reiterated that Portugal remains committed to achieving that figure by 2030.
“In fact, there is more political pressure, it is undeniable, but there are also a number of different points of view on how to think about these various contributions to the collective security and strengthening of the Atlantic Alliance,” Helena Carreiras said at the conclusion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization defense ministers meeting ( NATO) at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
Portugal has committed to reach 2% of GDP in defense investment by the end of the decade and expects an increase to 1.66% this year – originally planned for 2024.
However, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius have recently pushed for a minimum of 2% of GDP to be spent on defense.
When asked by journalists about the possibility of Portugal accompanying this ambition at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, Helena Carreiras replied that the country is “constantly evaluating and evaluating” what it can do.
The defense minister added that the country is meeting the deadlines already set: “The goal of 2% by the end of the decade is our current commitment.”
Elena Carreiras reiterated that Portugal is making a “very important” effort, constantly doing its best and balancing defense needs, assistance and international commitments, namely participation in NATO and United Nations missions.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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