Belgian PM demands better coordination of European defense investments
Prime minister Alexander De Croo thinks that the European countries should coordinate their defense investments more. He said this during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
De Croo took part in a discussion about the security situation in Europe. It was introduced by a government official from Ukraine, who once again asked more weapons for his country. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg was also present.
De Croo said that Belgium has increased its military spending "and will continue to do so". But he also immediately called for more efficiency. European investments are far too fragmented, he said.
The prime minister does want the investments in defense to provide more return for European industry and society. His plea to see the investments in a broader perspective was also striking: "Security is not only defense", he said.
Government parties Green and Ecolo oppose a further increase of the defense budget to 2 percent by 2035, because according to them money will be needed for other challenges, such as the consequences of the climate crisis.
De Croo indicated in Davos that some of the defense investments could help address the impact of climate change. According to De Croo, the European public expects leaders to do more together to tackle major challenges because the nation state alone can no longer do it. "The European public is demanding more integration from us," he said.
© BELGA PHOTO /ERIC LALMAND - Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Trafigura CEO Jeremy Weir meet at the 2022 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday 25 May 2022.